Dracaena Tamaranae (Dragon Blood Tree of Gran Canaria)

The Dragon Blood Tree of Gran Canaria (Dracaena Tamaranae) is a species that grows in the mid-mountain region of the southwestern quadrant of the island of Gran Canaria: from the rock walls of Amurga in the Fataga gorge to the heights of Junquillo in the La Aldea gorge. In the 1960s, groups of climbers located a few wild individuals of the Dragon Blood Tree in the gorges of the southern part of the island. These findings were reported to Gunther Kunkel, the German natural scientist and botanist, who published the discoveries in 1972 and 1973. In Kunkel's descriptions, as well as in other contributions about locations and mapping, the species is referred to as the Macaronesian Draco or the Drago of Gran Canaria.

It is exclusively found on inhospitable mountain slopes and gorges and is described as characteristic of vegetation that thrives in a thermo-dried environment in tropical/subtropical areas.

The Dragon Blood Tree is relatively "drought-loving": that is to say, it does well in zones with 200 to 500 mm of rainfall per year. However, the last living wild specimen that grew on the steep northern slopes unfortunately did not survive the droughts and ultimately died in 2009. The species is now only seen in cultivated conditions.

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 have started to cultivate 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.