Dragon tree  (Dracaena draco)

The name of this beautiful tree has mythical origins: for his 11th labour, Hercules had to bring back three golden apples from the garden of the Hespérides, which is guarded by Landon, the hundred-headed dragon. Hercules killed Landon and his blood flowed out over the land, which began to sprout ‘dragon' trees (2). The tree exudes ‘dragon's blood' – a red sap – when cut (3).

The trunks are long and slender and the leaves are prickly (4). The flowers are greenish-white and have a sweet smell (6). The orange-brown berries are a little smaller than a cherry, pointed and covered in a red, resinous substance, and taste sweet (4) (6).