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NUBIAN DRAGON TREE
Common Name: Nubian dragon tree
Scientific Name: Dracaena ombet
Categories: Timber, Medicinal
Conservation Status: Endangered - EN A1cd
See also the Dragon Tree, Dracaena draco which is a closely related species.
Why is this species important
This is one of the few species that can survive the extensive periods of drought in all parts of its range and is likely to therefore be an important part of the desert ecosystem. The mature fruits are eaten and, if similar to other species, the sap and fruit may also have medicinal properties.
Where is it found?
Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Egypt.
A once widespread and abundant species, it has experienced population declines throughout its range. Scattered individuals remain in inaccessible areas. The populations on the Red Sea Hills and Gabel Elba in Sudan and Egypt are particularly threatened.
How do people use it?
The fruits are eaten and the sap may have medicinal properties like that of D. draco. The wood, however, is loose, fibrous and therefore unsuitable for building or charcoal.
Why is it threatened?
The species was once widespread but overgrazing and droughts have contributed to a marked decline in living memory. There are few studies into these losses so exact reasons are unknown. A survey of the Gebel Shindeeb subpopulations near the Sudanese border in Egypt shows that they comprise only mature plants, many of which appear unhealthy, either as a result of the drought conditions, parasitic pests or disease (El Azzouni 2003).
In northern Sudan it appears that the populations of the tree have completely vanished from Erowit, the only area where they are known to have existed in that country (El Azzouni 2003).
Surveys in 2007 in Egypt indicated that the species is experiencing rapid decline particularly from climate change and habitats degradation - about 65% of its populations in Egypt has vanished in the last 20 years.
What conservation action is needed?
Research programmes have been initiated in Sudan and Egypt, investigating the ecology, distribution and threats to the species. Once these initial data have been compiled, a conservation strategy can look into appropriate techniques for reintroduction and restoration. A follow up project in Egypt (as part of the Conservation Leadership Programme) was initiated in 2009 and will conduct field and community work to 1) monitor protocols to assess the status and viability of D. ombet populations in the long term, and 2) use community based conservation approaches to engage stakeholders and the local community (Ghazali, 2007).
Selected references:
Ghazali, U (2007) Dracaena ombet Tree Community-based Conservation Project, Gabel Elba Protectorate, Egypt. Final report (available as pdf at www.conservationleadershipprogramme.org)
IUCN Red List – www.redlist.org
Azzouni, Marwan El, 2003. Conserving Dracaena ombet Egypt's Dragon Tree. Plant Talk 34, October 2003.
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