Dracaena cinnabari

Overview

Kew accepts Dracaena cinnabari in Asparagaceae and gives its native range as Socotra, principally in desert or dry shrubland. Its 1882 publication date marks the scientific name. The synonym Draco cinnabari refers to this same plant, not a second endemic tree.

The Royal Horticultural Society describes a slow-growing evergreen with a thick trunk and branching stems tipped by dense clusters of narrow leaves. Together these make an umbrella-shaped canopy. Small greenish-white flowers are followed by berries that ripen from green to orange. Its account distinguishes mature native trees from generally smaller cultivated specimens; cultivation dimensions should not become an exact age or height assigned to an illustrated wild tree.

A primary experimental abstract describes leaf-axil watering in four young Dracaena plants, two D. cinnabari and two D. draco, while measuring stem sap flow. Responses supported movement of intercepted water into stem tissue and varied with prior flow direction and applied water. The experiment supports an alternative uptake pathway; its small mixed-species sample does not measure the annual water budget of a mature Socotran forest.

Origins & earliest records

The name was published in 1882; this is not its evolutionary origin.

Evidence & interpretation

Retained scientific and institutional passages.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   Dracaena cinnabari taxonomic account

   Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

2. 02

   Dracaena cinnabari plant account

   Royal Horticultural Society

3. 03

   Are Dracaena nebulophytes able to drink atmospheric water?

   Author names absent from indexed witness; native full text unavailable.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Botanical taxonomic databaseDracaena cinnabari taxonomic accountResearch access: 2026-10-12
2. Institutional horticultural accountDracaena cinnabari plant accountResearch access: 2026-10-12
3. Primary experimental abstract; retained indexed witnessAre Dracaena nebulophytes able to drink atmospheric water?Research access: 2026-10-12

Image credits

Modern AI interpretation of umbrella-canopied tree form.

Modern AI botanical interpretation; fine leaf texture and terrain are schematic.