Dragoeiro or aldarga. Budding (detail). São Nicolau (2004)

Dracaena draco L. (DRACAENACEAE)

 

Dracaena draco L. (DRACAENACEAE)

Vernacular Name:

Dragoeiro, aldraga (dragon tree)

DESCRIPTION:

Tree up to 10m with pointed leaves, grouped at the end of its strong branches. Occurring on North Eastern slopes from 500 to 900m high 

PARTS USED:

Sap gum

PROPERTIES AND INDICATIONS:

Analgesic 

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Occurring on all Macaronesia archipelagos and on the islands of Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau (where the main populations can be found) Santiago, Fogo and Brava 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONDragoeiro or aldarga. São Nicolau (2004)

He explains his description with an interesting picture and with the following inscription: “A pot to receive the gum that drops out the tree” in George Roberts, The Four Years Voyages of Cpt. George Roberts Being a Series Uncommon Events, London, A. Betteswort at the Red Lyon, in Pater-Noster-Row and J. Osborn, at Ship, in St. Saviour’s Dock-Head, near Horsely Down, 1727. Translated by Desiré Bonnafoux Sarcelles, 1980.

This product was used as a drug (to ease all kinds of pain) and as a dye; it was also an important product for exportation when the Macaronesia islands were seized. The dragon trees of the islands and the use of dragon blood are mentioned since the beginning of the occupation of the Cape Verde Islands.

“In this island /São Nicolau/ it had long time ago many dragon trees whose gum drains when bleed in proper station producing the gum called Sanguis Draconis that is known of the druggists and is used in the medical art. There is a process that consists of cutting the branches in the proper station when the gum runs and to boil them in water to separate the gum, but it is not so clear and so good as to the other one. (In George Roberts, The Four Years Voyages of Capt. George Roberts Being a Series Uncommon Events, London, A. Betteswort at the Red Lyon, in Pater-Noster-Row and J. Osborn, at Ship, in St. Saviour’s Dock-Head, near Horsely Down, 1727. Translated by Desiré Bonnafoux Sarcelles, 1980.

Valentim Fernandes, at the beginnings of the 16th century mentions that: “The island of S. Nicolau lies in the North of the island of Brava, 30 leagues. It’s a big and high island with many trees and good and abundant water. On this island there are many dragon trees from which dragon blood can be extracted.” In Cartas das ilhas de Cabo Verde de Valentim Fernandes 1500-1508, Lisboa, 1939, p. 51.

Plant used to make dragon’s blood - named after the colour of its gum; when exposed to air it forms a red resinous substance, commercialised with the name dragon’s blood.

Two centuries later, George Roberts presents one of the best descriptions of a dragon tree as well as the use of its gum:

Dracaena draco L. (Dracaenaceae)

Dragoeiro or aldarga. in George Roberts, The Four Years Voyages of Captain Georges Roberts being a Series of Uncommon Events, London, 1726