Dracaena draco
Dragon tree
Dracaena draco, commonly known as the Dragon Blood Tree, is a legendary evergreen endemic to the Macaronesian islands. Renowned for its thick, crimson resin, this slow-growing species holds significant historical value in traditional medicine. Its striking umbrella-shaped canopy and unique sap make it a botanical marvel and cultural icon.
- Scientific name: Dracaena draco
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asparagales. Finally, it resides in the family Asparagaceae and is identified by the genus Dracaena.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asparagales | WCVP |
| Family | Asparagaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Dracaena | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Dracaena draco, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In Portuguese, it is called Dragoeiro, while in Esperanto, it is referred to as Drakarbo. In Polish, the common name is dracena smocza, and in Basque, it is known simply as Drago. Finally, in French, it is called Dragonnier des Canaries.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pt | Dragoeiro | Wikidata |
| eo | Drakarbo | Wikidata |
| pl | dracena smocza | Wikidata |
| eu | Drago | Wikidata |
| fr | Dragonnier des Canaries | Wikidata |
| ru | Драконово дерево | Wikidata |
| es | Dracaena drago | Wikidata |
| hu | kanári sárkányfa | Wikidata |
| fi | kanariantraakkipuu | Wikidata |
| ja | リュウケツジュ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a distinct geographical distribution spanning several regions across the Atlantic and Mediterranean. In Southwestern Europe, its presence can be found within the Baleares and Sardegna archipelagos. Moving toward the African continent, it is also established in Tunisia. The species extends its range into Macaronesia, specifically inhabiting the Azores. Finally, it is widely distributed throughout the Canary Is. within the same Macaronesian region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| New Zealand | New Zealand North | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Dragon Blood Tree, is highly valued for its unique medicinal components derived from various structures. The most significant substance is the deep red resin, often referred to as "dragon's blood," which is extracted from the inner layers of the tree. This precious exudate is obtained by making incisions in the bark or specifically targeting the stem bark of the plant. In addition to these woody elements, the aerial parts of the tree are also studied for their potential pharmacological properties, contributing to the overall medicinal profile of this remarkable species.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Dracaena draco has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Loureirin B, loureirin A, loureirin B.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Loureirin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| loureirin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| loureirin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |