Common Name: Socotra Dragon Blood

General Information

Dracaena cinnabari is an evergreen tree with a dense crown growing about 9 metres tall. The tree normally branches freely to form a very distinctive umbrella shape.
The tree is particularly valued for the resin obtained from the trunk, which is harvested from the wild and has various uses in medicine, making varnishes, as a cosmetic etc.
Dracaena cinnabari is found only on the island of Socotra, off the northeast coast of Africa, where it appears that populations of the tree have been in general decline for some time. Although many trees still remain, regeneration is poor[]. The decline seems to be linked to a gradual drying in the region, plus overgrazing which leads to young plants being eaten[]. Currently (2020) this species occupies only 5% of its potential habitats, and over 100 years of normal/typical regeneration is missing. Consequently the tree has been classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2004)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northeastern Africa - Socotra.

Habitat

Most commonly found amongst rocks and limestone, in evergreen and semi-deciduous woodland[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	9.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Dracaena cinnabari is a plant of the drier tropics, growing best in areas where the monsoon causes several months of cloud and drizzly weather each year[]. It is found in areas with seasonally arid climates where the average annual precipitation is 200 - 500mm and the mean annual temperature is 18 - 20°c[].
Requires a well-drained soil and a position in full sun. Established plants are very drought tolerant.
This species is one of several that supply a red resin from their stem. This resin, often known as 'Dragon's Blood' is often used as an external application to treat a range of skin problems and injuries[]. Dragon's Blood can be obtained from several species in this genus, as well as from three other distinct genera - Croton species, Daemonorops species and Pterocarpus species[]

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The resin obtained from the tree is antifungal, antioxidant, astringent and haemostatic[, ]. It is used to treat haemorrhages[].
Both the fresh and the dried resin have a long history of traditional use, mainly being applied externally. Conditions treating include skin problems such as acne, rashes and boils, inflammation, sores, burns etc; dental problems such as tooth decay; eye problems including conjuctivitis and inflammation; gastrointestinal tract problems; bleeding (including internal bleeding, where the resin will be taken internally)[].

Other Uses

A resin is obtained from the tree[]. Called 'Socotra dragon blood', it occurs in tears of a beautiful garnet colour when broken[]. It is used in varnishes[]. The dried resin is melted and used for drawing on and colouring pottery, bottles etc[].
The resin is also used as a cosmetic. In particular, the fresh resin is chewed and the liquid used as a red lipstick and fingernail varnish.A paste prepared from the fresh resin is mixed with curcuma and rubbed on the face as a smoothing and softening agent[].

A fibre obtained from the leaves is used for making rope[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings. Dracaena species are generally easy to propagate. Only a small piece of the plant is required to form a new plant, and even when thrown away it may easily root[].

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