Researchers have discovered Dracaena cambodiana, a dragon tree species in Assam.
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Researchers have discovered Dracaena cambodiana, a dragon tree species in the Dongka Sarpo area of West Karbi Anglong in Assam.
This plant yields dragon’s blood — a bright red resin used since ancient times as medicine, body oil, varnish, incense and dye. Sap of this plant turns bright red after coming in contact with air.
This is for the first time that a dragon tree species has been reported from India. The report has been published in the Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas.
In India, the Dracaena genus belonging to the family Asparagaceae is represented by nine species and two varieties in the Himalayan region, the northeast and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
But Dracaena cambodiana is the only true dragon tree species.
Recent overexploitation to meet the increasing demand for dragon’s blood has resulted in rapid depletion of the plant. For this reason, the species is already listed in the inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants of China.
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