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The New International Encyclopædia/Dracæna draco

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Edition of 1905. See also Dracaena draco on Wikipedia; and the disclaimer.

785709The New International Encyclopædia — Dracæna draco

DRACÆ'NA DRA'CO (Lat., from Gk. δρακαινα, drakaina, she-dragon, from δράκον, drakōn, dragon), or Dragon Tree. A tree of the order Liliaceæ, that produces the resin called dragon's blood. Its thickness is greatly out of proportion to its height. The head is crowned with short branches bearing tufts of sword-shaped leaves. Humboldt saw a famous specimen in Teneriffe, which at the time of his visit was 70 feet tall and 45 feet in circumference, and was estimated to be 6000 years old. It was destroyed by a storm in 1868. The Guanches worshiped it, and had hollowed its trunk into a small sanctuary. Others of large size are reported from the Canary Islands and India.