Endemic
A tree up to 20 m. high but usually smaller. Dragon trees can get very old but the estimation of the authentic age is very difficult, as the plants do not develop annual rings. The famous dragon tree at Icod is certainly several hundred years old. The species is a relic of the Tertiary period and fossils of it have been found in Europe, showing a former wider distribution. Unfortunately it is nearly extinct in the wild but it is often planted in parks and gardens and can be grown as a pot plant in Central Europe.
The numerous fruits are pea-sized, orange and attract birds. The hard seeds germinate after 3 weeks. The seedling grows up to 15 cm in the first year. After 10 years the tree starts to branch and develops the typical aerial roots.
The sap hardens to a resin and turns blood red when exposed to the air. This resin, known as ‘Dragon Blood’’, was used medicinally in former times; also as a lacquer. Stradivarius (d. 1737) was reputed to have insisted on using ‘Dragon’s Blood’ for polishing his violins.