Which plant is the botanical source of dragon's blood resin from Socotra?

Dracaena cinnabari is the botanical source of dragon’s blood resin from Socotra.

This distinctive tree, called the Socotra dragon tree, is endemic to the Socotra archipelago in Yemen. Its dense, umbrella-shaped crown helps shade the soil and reduce water loss in the island’s dry climate.

When its bark or branches are cut, the tree can yield a dark red resin known as dragon’s blood. The resin has been used historically in dyes, varnishes, incense, and traditional medicines, although products sold under the same name can come from several unrelated plants.

Dracaena cinnabari is not the only dragon-blood source. Dracaena draco from the Canary Islands and Croton species from the Americas have also supplied red resins, so geographic origin matters when identifying the material.