Scientific name
Common name
Family
Origin
Canary Islands
Year planted
Before 1985
Flowering
June – August
Description
Despite its shape, the dragon tree is not a tree in the strict sense because it does not grow in width. Like palms, grasses, orchids or Phytolaca dioica, its trunk has no rings and is therefore more of a giant –and spectacular– herb than a true tree.
Technically, this type of plant is called a monocotyledon, meaning it has no vascular cambium and does not undergo the traditional secondary growth that trees do, with a trunk that increases in girth through rings. The trunk serves as a water reserve and has supportive tissues.
The leaves are evergreen, glaucous green, hard and thick.
It flowers every 10-15 years. At this time the trunk and branches branch out.
The flowers are greenish white and the fruits are orange or reddish berries.
Marimurtra’s specimens
You will find several specimens in the area of the Canary Islands.
However, the oldest in the garden is located by the Linné pavilion. This specimen is about 4 metres high and 5 metres wide.
It was planted shortly after the frosts of 1985. Previously, there were more of them, but they died because of the low temperatures of that year.
The current specimens come from seeds from the Canary Islands.
Did you know that…?
They flower and branch for the first time 14-15 years after planting. after planting. After that they flower and branch every 10 years. This makes it very easy to see their age at a glance.
The oldest specimen is 18 metres high and can be found in Icod de los vinos on the island of Tenerife. It is known as a thousand-year-old Drago.
These trees are called Drago or Dragon Tree because their sap is red, similar to dragon’s blood.
Threat level (UICN)
Main uses
Raunkiaer Life Forms
