GIBRALTAR CONNECTION WITH TANGIER (Part 2)

Sally and I know Morocco fairly well, and it is possible there are other Moroccan Dragon Trees(Dracaena draco subsp. ajgal) growing in gardens elsewhere in Morocco,not just in Tangier.

scaping, yet the wonderful E. Afri can Flame Tree {Spathodea cainpanulafn) is commonly culti vated there today.

So, how did these Moroccan Dragon trees come to Gibraltar,pre sumably by the Moors? The oldest one is in the Convent garden, and is probably about 500 years old, which takes it back to well within Moorish times. My guess is that the older specimens here,or most of them, are probably descend ants from the original ones, which may have been destroyed during the non-peaceful era of Gi braltar. One thing is certain.Dragon Trees do not like to be messed around too much,as rot can easily set in from damage to stems or roots, which means they could have been killed off during the sieges,or even used as firewood.

One thing is certain. Dragon

Trees do not like to be messed around too much

lection of mature Moroccan Dragon Trees anywhere,and is perhaps the most important part of our botani cal heritage." TTie only concern 1 have for the future is that a few Canarian specimens have been planted in recent years, which in time could cause the dilution of the purity of our seeds once those plants get to flow ering size, through hybridi sation. I wonder what can be done about it, so that this never hap pens? The few true Canarian Dragon Trees in nearby Spain do not pose a threat in this respect.

Our knowledge of southern Mo rocco is far better, as I have been endeavouring to sort out the com plex distribution of the very vari able spiny succulent Euphorbias. This work has taken usdownSidi Ifni, a few hours drive south of Agadir. This dusty but fascinating fishing port was originally a Span ish enclave in Fran co's time, and we have found two branched Dragon Trees there, but they are typical of the Canary ones. Presumably during the Spanish oc cupation of much of southern Mo rocco,odd specimens were brought

Some Plant

over from the Canary islands, or even seeds,as it is only a short dis tance away. Oddly enough in Agadir,today a modern seaside re sort, I have not noticed any Dragon Trees at all. It is surprising as the gorge of the Dragon Trees is in the nearest range of mountains the Anti-Atlas. I remember visiting Agadir in 1959, prior to the earthquake which to tally devastated the town,and there were no Dragon Trees to be seen then around town,or in hotel gar dens. The Moroccan Dragon Tree is a very handsome plant for land

We shall never know for certain, in the same way as when the origi nal Gibraltar macaques arrived here. I do feel quite confident in saying "that the Gibraltar Botanic Gardens possesses the largest col-

Nowadays thanks to Gibraltar being over populated with seagulls, our young Dragon Trees are pop ping up all over the place. In much the same wav as Chiffchaffs have taken a great liking to the sweet nectar of Aloe arborescens, which abounds around Gibraltar, the seagulls have done the same as re gards the fruits ofour Dragon Trees. Indigestible seeds later get sown around the Rock,complete with fer tilizer!

oCa UeranJali

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