Dragon Blood Trees!

At the only dragon blood tree forest on earth on the Diksam Plateau. This tree has become a symbol for Socotra, and being here is a highlight of Socotra.
The tree is so called because it exudes a red sap or resin when injured. There is also a legend from the Qu'ranic telling of the Cain and Abel story: that their altercation occurred here, giving the tree its Arabic name, the tree of two brothers' blood.
The 1st 4 pictures are in the dragon blood forest.
There is only one way to this forest, and that is to pass through Wadi Dirhur, the deepest canyon in Socotra. The next 3 pictures are taken from the bottom of the wadi. On the far wall of the canyon you can see the road carved into the cliff side.
While the forest is on Diksam Plateau, dragon blood trees live on the other side of the canyon. That's the next last picture.
In a nearby village there is a dragon blood tree nursery to help maintain and to study the species. Those trees that look something like pineapples are 20 year old dragon blood trees. They are extraordinarily slow growing.Read more