Dragon Blood Trees on Socotra, Dracaena cinnabari

[JohnInBhutan]

I've been visiting Socotra Island over the past few years, and while there are many Phoenix dactilifera and a few Cocos nucifera, the star plant of Socotra is Dracaena cinnabari, the dragon blood tree. In my opinion it's the most dramatic and beautiful of the Dracaena (I have seen D. ombet in Ethiopia and D. draco from Canary Islands). On Socotra these grow in vast forests, in some places as far as they eye can see. They are at risk, with climate change, Socotra is drier and seedlings have difficult time getting established and by the many goats which eat seedlings. Goats probably the bigger problem. There is local man who is growing in nursery and planting the small plants in goat protected areas.

[Tracy]

 

 

  On 3/27/2024 at 9:13 AM, JohnInBhutan said:

I've been visiting Socotra Island over the past few years, and while there are many Phoenix dactilifera and a few Cocos nucifera, the star plant of Socotra is Dracaena cinnabari, the dragon blood tree. In my opinion it's the most dramatic and beautiful of the Dracaena (I have seen D. ombet in Ethiopia and D. draco from Canary Islands). On Socotra these grow in vast forests, in some places as far as they eye can see. They are at risk, with climate change, Socotra is drier and seedlings have difficult time getting established and by the many goats which eat seedlings. Goats probably the bigger problem. There is local man who is growing in nursery and planting the small plants in goat protected areas.

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I love this species.  Dracaena Draco is very commonly planted here in San Diego but I don't recall seeing D cinnabari. 

Your habitat photos are spectacular. 

[JohnInBhutan]

I think D. Draco common in southern CA as it's been in cultivation for long time and faster growing than D. cinnabari. Socotra is spectacular, easily one of the most photogenic places I've visited.

[Tracy]

  On 4/1/2024 at 7:54 AM, JohnInBhutan said:

I think D. Draco common in southern CA as it's been in cultivation for long time and faster growing than D. cinnabari. Socotra is spectacular, easily one of the most photogenic places I've visited.

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Based on photos I have seen and knowing some of the native plants, I will concur that it is highly photogenic. 

Did you see any Ficus socotrana (now grouped with Ficus vasta) while there?

[happypalms]

What a place incredible I did read once Stradivarius violin was varnished with the resin from the dragon tree 

[JohnInBhutan]

There are plenty of Ficus socotrana (now vasta) on Socotra, but I've only seen them grow to shrub size, about 10 feet/3 meters, not like the enormous F. vasta in Ethiopia.

[Tracy]

  On 4/1/2024 at 4:52 PM, JohnInBhutan said:

There are plenty of Ficus socotrana (now vasta) on Socotra, but I've only seen them grow to shrub size, about 10 feet/3 meters, not like the enormous F. vasta in Ethiopia.

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Interesting.  The  older Ficus socotrana planted here are the ones at the San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Botanic Garden) here in Encinitas and one at the San Diego Zoo.  Both are low in profile and spreading, quite unlike the habitat photos of Ficus vasta from the main Continent of Africa.  So they seem to carry this trait forward.  I have one in the ground and a second in a pot.  I'm hoping that they retain that flat canopy look of the others here in the San Diego area.  Perhaps that is why they were identified as their own species until a few years back when lumped back in with Ficus vasta.

I apologize for semi- high-jacking the thread and focusing only on the Socatra Island aspect as opposed to the Dracena cinnabari.

[JohnInBhutan]

Socotra is full of surprises. I expected it to be arid island with few dragon blood trees, it's quite heavily forested in areas and has forest of dragon blood tree as far as the eye can see in areas. Dramatically changing landscape, from place to place. Friendly and very safe. Tons of P. dactilifera and few Cocos nucifera, the only 2 palms I've ever seen there. Here are some more photos.