Monday, 05 January 2015 00:00

Europe's Rarest Tree: The Mysterious Gran Canaria Dragon Tree

Canary Islands dragon trees Canary Islands dragon trees

Only 70 of the Europe's rarest tree, the Gran Canaria dragon tree (Dracaena tamaranae), survive on the cliffs of the Arguineguin Valley just minutes drive from the island's main resorts. 

 

The species was discovered by rock climbers in 1999 and its origins and rarity are still a mystery.

Botanists have collected seeds from the wild trees and the species is now safe from extinction in the Jardin Canario Botanical Garden in Tafira. In fact, the biggest one in the garden has just set seed for the first time ever.

To see a wild Gran Canaria dragon tree, drive up the Arguineguín Valley to the tiny village of Cercado de Espino and look north north-west. A wild dragon tree sticks out on the western side of the high cliffs. That's as close as you'll get to the trees unless you climb the sheer rocks face where they live.

There's an easier way to get up close and personal with a dragon: Head to the Jardin Canario and you'll see the first generation of babies planted out and already growing into big, spiky trees. The biggest one is in a wire cage to protect the seeds because an obsessive plant collector once spent all night digging up the wrong tree (if you're reading this, you got a Socotran dragon tree and the garden would like it back).

The Canary Islands dragon tree

While the Gran Canaria dragon tree clings on to its cliff-edge refuge, the Canary Islands dragon tree (Dracaena draco) grows in parks and gardens all over the island. You can't miss their fat grey trunks and stumpy branches crowned with long pointed leaves. Dragon trees can be 20 metres high with a trunk 20 metres in circumference.

The Canary Islands dragon tree also grows in the Cape Verde Islands and Madeira, and was recently discovered in Morocco. It's rare in the wild in Gran Canaria but starting recover.

Dragon's blood and other legends

Dragon trees produce sap that hardens into red blobs. Ancient and medieval doctors called it dragon's blood and believed that it had magical properties. It was once worth its weight in gold and it's possible that the Romans used to come to the Canary Islands to harvest dragon's blood.
Modern testing has shown that it has no medicinal properties at all.

The Gran Canaria and Canary Island dragon trees are just two of the 600 unique plants in the Canary Islands (100 of which grow only in Gran Canaria). They are one of the many things that make the islands such a natural paradise.

Published in Alternative Tourism
Published in Alternative Tourism
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  • Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?
    Exchange Money In Gran Canaria Or At Home?

    Visitors to Gran Canaria often ask whether it is better to exchange their local currency for euros at home or in Gran Canaria. 

    The answer is that it is almost always better to buy your euros at home than it is to bring pounds to Gran Canaria and use local banks or currency exchanges. This rule of thumb applies all over the world. A currency is almost always cheaper the further away you are from the place you can spend it (because demand for it is lower). 

    Exchange rates are almost always better at home than in Gran Canaria

    You are very likely to get a better exchange rate using a British currency exchange specialist or local bank. Many of these companies will deliver your euros to your home.

    One of the best rates in the UK is often from the post office, especially if you do it well in advance.

    The only way you'll get a better rate in Gran Canaria than at home is if the exchange rate changes while you are travelling and this is rare. 

    You also have to bear in mind that currency exchanges in Gran Canaria are getting rarer and some local banks don't exchange money for non-clients. 

    To Transfer large amouynts of money to Gran Canaria, or to make regular transfers, always use a reputable currency broker such as Currencies Direct. This will save you money on exchange rates and bank charges and is highky secure. 

    The risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria

    Another important factor to consider is the risk of bringing cash to Gran Canaria: If it is lost or stolen, there is no way of getting it back. 

    It is much safer to bring a debit or credit card and use local bank ATMs to take out money. These days, a good option is a pre-charged debit card. 

    Cards may be slightly more expensive that carrying cash, unless you seek out a bank card with low commissions, but it is much more secure. 

    Bank ATMs like Bankia, Santander and BBVA often charge lower rates than the ATMs in shopping centres and busy tourist areas.

    Alex Says: Always select the Euro option at ATMs in Gran Canaria because the exchange rate is much better than if you opt for the Local Currency option. The same applies when you pay by card in shops and restaurants.

    See our Gran Canaria Tips section for more nuggets of useful local information.

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