Dracaena draco is an evergreen long lived tree with up to 15 m (49 ft) or more in height and a trunk 5 m (16 ft) or more in circumference, starting with a smooth bark that evolves to a more rough texture as it ages. The "dragon tree" is a Monocot, with a branching growth pattern. When young it has a single stem. At about 10-15 years of age the stem stops growing and produces a flower spike with white, lily-like perfumed flowers, followed by coral berries. Soon a crown of terminal buds appears and the plant starts branching. Each branch grows for about 10-15 years and re-branches, so a mature plant has an umbrella-like habit. Dracaena draco, the Canary Islands dragon tree or drago, is a subtropical native to the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Madeira, western Morocco, and introduced into the Azores where it is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. Wild populations in Morocco extend to the southwest Atlas Mountains. When the bark or leaves are cut they secrete a reddish resin known as dragon's blood. The Guanches worshiped a specimen in Tenerife, and hollowed its trunk into a small sanctuary. Humboldt saw it at the time of his visit. It was 70 feet (21 m) tall and 45 feet (14 m) in circumference, and was estimated to be 6000 years old. It was destroyed by a storm in 1868. Dracaena draco is cultivated and widely available as an ornamental tree for parks, gardens, and drought tolerant water conserving sustainable landscape projects. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Type: Perennial Hardiness zones: 9b-12 Height: 10-20', 3-6m Exposure: Sun Seeds per packet: 6
