Red Dragon Tree

Only recently identified as a new species, the Red Dragon Tree (Dracaena jayniana) is restricted to central and northeastern Thailand. It is found on limestone karsts at 300–500 m above sea level, usually on hilltops rather than the steep cliff sides. The inaccessible nature of this landscape coupled with its lack of soil and low water availability has helped protect it from agricultural development.

The Red Dragon tree consists of woody stems up to 8 meters tall, branched at the base, with usually 3–5 erect stems in a cluster. Stems bear leaf scars from the base to the apex. Bark pale brown to grey-brown with vertical fissures towards the base, peeling away on each side of fissure. Dark red sap oozes from damaged bark. Extremely long, woody roots are produced that can reach down to the water table below the arid, rocky limestone habitat.

Tough, leathery, pale green to white leaves grow in dense clusters at tips of stems. These leaves are up to 75 centimeters long. The flowers are coloured a dull golden yellow. Ultimately, berries wth up to three seeds appear. They are shiny olive-green when immature, dull red when mature (known to be red-black when dried).

The first part of its scientific name, Dracaena, is a feminine form of the Greek word drakon and therefore means 'female dragon'. The second part, jayniana, is named after Jayne Spasojevic in recognition of a charitable donation by her husband to a sponsored skydive in aid of Portfield School in Dorset, UK. The epithet also sounds a bit like the Thai vernacular name Chan.

In Thailand, many limestone habitats are threatened by extraction for concrete manufacture, especially those closest to cities such as Bangkok. Mature plants are sometimes collected from the wild for use in horticulture. A number of populations are close to temples, which affords them some protection. It is collected by locals who consider it to bring good luck.

An invigourating tonic drink is made from the dried red sap.