The “Dragon’s Blood Trees,” scientifically known as Dracaena cinnabari, are native to the Socotra archipelago, located off the coast of Yemen. These trees are named for their unique appearance, with umbrella-shaped branches that stretch outwards and upwards from their trunks, giving them a distinct and striking silhouette.
What makes these trees truly fascinating, however, is their ability to produce a deep red resin from their trunks, which has been used for a variety of purposes throughout history, such as dyeing fabrics and as a medicinal ingredient. The resin is said to resemble dragon’s blood, thus giving the tree its name.
Despite the tree’s captivating appearance and unique properties, it is sadly endangered due to habitat loss and overharvesting of the resin. Efforts are being made to protect and conserve these trees, which remain a symbol of the incredible biodiversity found on our planet.
