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Socotra: Dracaena cinnabari


JasonD

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The most famous plant of Socotra is the dragon's blood tree, Dracaena cinnabari. The islanders' story about the tree is that two brothers fought, one drawing blood from the other. When the blood dripped to the ground it sprouted the dracaena, with red sap showing its origins. The sap is collected for makeup and medicine and children in the area sell little baggies of it for 2000 Yemeni riyals ($1.75).

It is under severe grazing pressure from goats. The only young plants we saw were on inaccessible pinnacles and cliffs, or in cultivation.  Homhil, the area pictured here, is a bizarre and beautiful nature preserve at around 400m–800m elevation. The dracaenas do not naturally grow at sea level. Last week when we were there almost none had flowers and we saw zero fruits. Must be in a different season.

The distinction from Dracaena draco, which I see a lot here in California, became apparent within a minute or two of first seeing them. Shorter branch segments, narrower, stiffer leaves, more symmetrical growth. 

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Jason Dewees

Inner Sunset District

San Francisco, California

Sunset zone 17

USDA zone 10a

21 inches / 530mm annual rainfall, mostly October to April

Humidity averages 60 to 85 percent year-round.

Summer: 67F/55F | 19C/12C

Winter: 56F/44F | 13C/6C

40-year extremes: 96F/26F | 35.5C/-3.8C

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On 4/1/2022 at 4:26 PM, JasonD said:

The distinction from Dracaena draco, which I see a lot here in California, became apparent within a minute or two of first seeing them. Shorter branch segments, narrower, stiffer leaves, more symmetrical growth. 

Yes, D draco is actually rather common around here and does well even right on the coast.  I wonder if the fact that the cinnabari don't grow at sea level in habitat has anything to do with their absence here.  Great photos of these striking plants!

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33.0782 North -117.305 West  at 72 feet elevation

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Thanks!

I think it's because Dracaena draco comes from a climate closer to California's and from a much more accessible location.
There are Dracaena cinnabari in California cultivation, I'm sure, but it would be quite hard to get seed from Socotra.

Jason Dewees

Inner Sunset District

San Francisco, California

Sunset zone 17

USDA zone 10a

21 inches / 530mm annual rainfall, mostly October to April

Humidity averages 60 to 85 percent year-round.

Summer: 67F/55F | 19C/12C

Winter: 56F/44F | 13C/6C

40-year extremes: 96F/26F | 35.5C/-3.8C

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On 4/7/2022 at 1:03 PM, JasonD said:

I think it's because Dracaena draco comes from a climate closer to California's and from a much more accessible location.
There are Dracaena cinnabari in California cultivation

I wouldn't mind trying D cinnabari.  I don't have space in my garden, but a neighbor guerrilla planted a couple of D draco's from his yard into the exterior green belt for a newer development that is across the street from me.  I followed suit adding another D draco right across the street from my house and I'm sure I could find another spot along that strip for a D cinnabari.  The drought tolerance of both of these species will prove to be an asset here in California as we move forward in time.

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33.0782 North -117.305 West  at 72 feet elevation

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At one time I owned 2 small (12") Dracaena cinnabari trees. I traded 1 for a palm to a guy who lived in Oceanside. He said it grew well there, but was slow. The other 1 I planted in the yard I owned in eastern San Diego (San Carlos) where it grew at about the same rate as D. draco. I left it there when I sold the house. I figured Arizona would not be to its liking.

Hi 97˚, Lo 55˚

 

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Casas Adobes - NW of Tucson since July 2014

formerly in the San Carlos region of San Diego

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  • 10 months later...

I went  down the hill today to pull grass after all the rain.  My little Dracaena cinnabari is about two feet.  Seems to be slow growing to me.  I got it as a seedling.

-Ron-

 

dcinnabari.jpg

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-Ron-

Please click my Inspired button. http://yardshare.com/myyard.php?yard_id=384

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts.

Daniel Patrick Moynihan

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