Thai Dragon Tree

The Thai Dragon Tree (Dracaena cochinchinensis) can be found in a large region in Eastern Asia: southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. The trees typically grow on limestone slopes at altitudes between 900 and 1700 meters.

This species of Dracaena reaches 15 meters in height, has branched stems that are sometimes up to one meter thick. The sword-shaped leaves are crowded at the apex of branches. These leathery leaves are up to one meter in length. No wonder that the Thai Dragon Tree has a palm tree-like appearance.

The milky-white flowers appear in clusters, later followed by orange berries with 1 to 3 seeds.

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, cochinchinensis, clarifies the region where the trees were first discovered. Cochinchina is a region encompassing the southern third of current Vietnam.

The dried resin, called xue jie (in Chinese) or dragon’s blood, is used medicinally. The collection of this resin, together with habitat destruction, has made the Thai Dragon Tree a vulnerable species in China.