Elegant Dragon Tree

The Elegant Dragon Tree (Dracaena concinna) is still growing in coastal dry forests of Mauritius and some outlaying islands in the Indian Ocean. It is an endangered species in its natural habitat, but it is reproduced in large quantities in many nurseries in Mauritius.

This species of Dragon Tree can measure up to four meters in height. Its straight trunk is grayish. Its leaves lance-shaped, long and thin are a beautiful green color and grouped at the top of the trunk. They are advanced and succulent. Its fruit is an orange red.

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, concinna is Latin and means 'beautiful', 'elegant' or even 'harmonious' and 'skilfully put together'.

The subpopulations are very small and confined to a few tiny islands. The remaining subpopulations of this species are now managed in reserves, which should halt previous declines in numbers. The Elegant Dragon Tree is easy to propagate by cuttings, which is helpful in its possible survival.