What are the characteristics and symbolic meaning of the dragon blood tree?
The dragon blood tree, also called the bleeding tree, the holy medicine for invigorating blood, and the plant longevity star. It is the precious Yunnan red medicine - dragon's blood, also known as qilinjie, and is as famous as Yunnan Baiyao. Li Shizhen praised it in the Compendium of Materia Medica as the "holy medicine for invigorating blood"!
Other names of the dragon blood tree
Bleeding tree, holy medicine for invigorating blood, plant longevity star, useless tree, bamboo wood, horse-mule sugarcane tree
Morphological characteristics of the dragon blood tree
An evergreen small shrub, up to 4m tall, with gray bark. Leaves sessile, densely clustered at the top of the stem, thickly papery, broadly linear or oblanceolate, 10~35cm long, 1~5.5cm wide, base enlarged and stem-clasping, narrower near the base, midrib prominent on the lower part of the underside, rib-like, terminal large panicle up to 60cm long, 1-3 flowers clustered. Flowers white, fragrant. Berries spherical, yellow.
Many species and varieties of the same genus are used for garden ornamental purposes. The dragon blood tree has loose wood, a hollow trunk, and branches full of holes, so it cannot be used as a pillar; when burned it only smokes and does not catch fire, nor can it be used as firewood. It is truly useless, so it is also called the "useless tree."
Growth habits of the dragon blood tree
The dragon blood tree likes high temperature and humidity, and likes light. With sufficient light, the leaves are brightly colored. It is not cold-tolerant. In winter the temperature should be about 15°C, with a minimum temperature of 5~10°C.
If the temperature is too low, because the root system cannot absorb enough water, yellow-brown patches will appear on the leaf tips and leaf margins. The dragon blood tree likes loose, well-drained soil rich in humus and nutrients.
Main value of the dragon blood tree
Ornamental: The dragon blood tree has a graceful and regular plant shape, and its leaf shapes and colors are varied. It is an excellent foliage plant for modern interior decoration. Small and medium potted flowers can decorate a study, living room, and bedroom, while medium and large plants can beautify and furnish halls.
Medicinal: After the dragon blood tree is injured, it exudes a blood-colored liquid. This liquid is a resin, dark red, and is a precious traditional Chinese medicine. Its Chinese medicine name is "dragon's blood" or "qilinjie." It has the medicinal function of invigorating blood and can treat muscle and bone pain.
Economic: The deep red sap of the dragon blood tree can be used as a dye, or to paint violins.
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