Tree that weeps dragons blood among new discoveries
Article: Tree that weeps dragons blood among new discoveries
URL: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/earthnews/9762699/Tree-that-weeps-dragons-blood-among-new-discoveries.html
Author: Richard Grey
Date: 23 Dec 2012
Summary: This is an article about a tree that was found in Thailand that oozes red sap, or "dragon's blood". The species was named Dracaena jayniana, or the Red Dragon Tree. Supposedly, the tree has medical properties. This may be true, because it is closely related to other plants with medicinal properties, however it is not confirmed. The sap, as of so far, looks mainly like a simple pick-me-up tonic. The exact location of this rare tree has not been disclosed because of the fear that people may come and collect clippings to sell. In addition to the tree, one species of snowdrop was discovered, fifteen new palm trees, and eleven new species of indigofera, a plant used to make indigo dye.
Relevance: This article relates to our study of plants and our previous study of classification. The article tells of a tree with red sap. In class, we learned that a tree is composed of layers, one of them is the xylem. The xylem is the area of the tree in which the sap is produced.
Why do you suppose the plant evolved to have the red sap? Could it possibly be to scare off predators?
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