Dragon tree  (Dracaena draco)

Threats

This species has undergone an extreme decline because of complex problems. It is said that its seeds used to germinate as a result of being eaten by a flightless bird and passing through the bird’s gut, but following the extinction of this bird, the seeds can nolonger germinate without human manipulation. However, this is a hypothesis only, and cannot be proved. There are even a few young trees in the Azores and in Morocco, despite the absence human seed preparation (3). Serious threats include the introduced rats that feed on the seeds and the goats and rabbits that graze on seedlings and young plants, preventing growth (3). Habitat loss for agriculture and because of fires has also contributed to declines (1).

Conservation

This species is widespread in cultivation around the world, as well as being listed in regional, governmental and international legislation (1), but if it is to survive in the wild, conservation plans to educate and to create a network of protected areas must be put into practice (2).

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