The Canary Draco impresses around the world in gardens with a Mediterranean climate. With its umbrella-shaped crown of about 9 meters in diameter and its sausage-like branches, it defies gravity by growing at impossible angles and slopes with its heavy limbs. The dragon blood tree is the emblem of Tenerife and an important attraction for many tourists visiting the island. If you want to know more about Tenerife, you can read the book by Guy Devos as a reference work with a lot of useful information about everything and anything on Tenerife.
Pieter van de Borcht created a meticulously detailed watercolor of the Draco at the end of the 16th century. The Dracaena Draco, of which the most famous specimen stands in Tenerife, was among the plant/tree species that attracted the most interest from explorers, historians, travelers, and natural scientists, along with the Canary pine, the Garoé (the sacred tree and icon of El Hierro), and the Orchilla (a lichen from which red dye was obtained).
Although there are images of the dragon blood tree (such as that of Martin Schongauer from 1475) from before the time of van de Borcht, this one by Pieter van de Borcht is considered the first accurate botanical description of the Drago Macaronesico. Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was also fascinated by the island of Tenerife and the dragon blood tree. Read more about it here.
Threatened with extinction
Unfortunately, the dragon blood tree is threatened with extinction. Most are no longer available. However, the Dracaena Draco is still available. Due to my passion for the dragon blood tree, I started cultivating them myself, thus contributing to their protection. Are you looking for a special, magical, and unique tree/plant (a piece of art) for your living room? Then you can easily order one from me via the shop.
