Previous plant

Dracaena cinnabari

Next plant

A photo by Alain Christophe.


A p
hoto by Boris "Puk" Vrskovy, Slovakia.


A young plant in Copenhagen Botanical Garden.


Jung but adult plant.


The morning mist contributes with quite some water.


The water which is not absorbed by the leaves is found
 underneath the natural umbrella, for the roots to absorb.


Here, in the morning mist.


The really smooth leaves.

Author: Isaac Bayley Balfour, 1882
Family:  DRACAENACEAE*
Origin:  Socotra; Yemen
Soil:  Grit
Water:  Minimum - Medium
Sun:  Maximum
Thickness:  80 Centimetres
Height:  9 Meters
Flower:  White - Yellow
Propagate:  Seeds/Cuttings
Names:  Socotra Dragon Tree, Inside-Out Umbrella Tree
Synonyms:  Draco cinnabari, Kuntze

This charismatic member of the Dracaenaceae  family was described by Isaac Bayley Balfour in 1882. It is only found on the Yemen island; Socotra. It grows among rocks and limestone, receiving little water and lots of sun. Depending on the environment, it will eventually reach three to nine meters with a stem up to 80 centimetres in diameter. The flowers are white to yellow, and besides from seeds, I guess it will be possible to make cuttings. I just made them by tissue-culture.

The larger plants survives without much water, but to grow, they will need some, just like the seedlings, which is depending on quite some water.

The genera name from Latin; drago; a female dragon. The species name means 'cinnabar-red' for the colour of the sap.

*Accordantly to the latest taxonomic system; APG IV 2016, Dracaenaceae is now part of the Asparagaceae.


Growing in bare limestone in some places.


The rarely seen flowers.


Found in huge groups along with Adenium socotranum.


The really smooth leaves.