Event #1 - Festival of Trees

A few weeks ago, I got to take a break from studying for midterms and take a stroll through the Botanical Gardens for UCLA’s Festival of Trees. I had headphones on as I strolled through the garden with my stamp book, listening to some instrumentals as I took in the families, couples, and fellow students that made their way through the paths to try to find the next tree in the book’s order. I was much less successful in locating all of the trees, but I did find the informational tables for the Canyon Oak and the “Dragon Tree”. I loved the unique appearance of the Dragon Tree and its connection to Greek mythology that I learned from the presenter. I went home and decided to do some more research into the tree’s folklore.

 

A few of my stamps from the event, photo taken by myself

 

During my research into the Canary Islands Dragon Tree, I discovered a few fun facts that I thought I would share. The tree comes from the same family as the asparagus plant, which is not at all surprising based on the appearance of the tree (Global Trees Campaign). The branching of the tree appears like hundreds of large asparagus pieces shooting up into the sky or branching outwards. When I was listening to the volunteers at the Festival of Trees give their presentation, they mentioned that the Greeks believed the branching of the tree was related to the hydra of Greek mythology. The Hydra is believed to be a water snake with multiple heads. The myth holds that if you try to cut off one head, two will grow back in its place, which matches the highly branched appearance of the dragon tree (Britannica).

 

(event registration, dated April 29th)

 

The appearance of the tree is not its only connection to mythology. The sap of the tree is also connected to mythology and ancient medicinal practices. It follows that Hercules had to defeat Hera’s dragon in order to get to the magical apples that she gifted to Zeus. To get to the golden fruit, Hercules killed the dragon, and its blood spread over the land and led to the growth of these dragon trees (Plantscapers). This myth is connected to the real features of the tree with the red color of the tree’s sap. Based on local legends rather than Greek mythology, it is believed that the tree “bleeds” its red sap when it is harmed. This sap has been used for centuries as medicine and a source of magic because of this belief (Owlcation). I found it very interesting how different myths and fables attempt to explain the same phenomenon. The mythology bolsters the importance of the tree, solidifying its place as a symbol of the land that it comes from.

 

Canyon Oak, photo taken by myself

 

The Festival of Trees was a wonderful reminder of the diversity of plant species and the importance that nature holds for our sense of connection to place. Mythology and fables function to provide explanations for natural occurrences. While they may not contain many facts, they demonstrate an appreciation for nature and an artistic approach to science.

 

A selfie amongst the trees, taken by myself


 

Work Cited

“Canary Islands Dragon Tree.” Global Trees, https://globaltrees.org/threatened-trees/trees/dragon-tree/. Accessed 16 May 2022.

Canary Islands Dragon Tree. https://www.zoobarcelona.cat/en/plants/canary-islands-dragon-tree. Accessed 28 May 2022.

Crampton, Linda. “The Strange and Intriguing Dragon Blood Tree of Socotra Island.” Owlcation, https://owlcation.com/stem/The-Dragon-Blood-Tree-of-Socotra-Island-Dracaena-cinnabari. Accessed 16 May 2022.

Hydra | Description & Mythology | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hydra-Greek-mythology. Accessed 28 May 2022.

“The Dragon Tree Myth.” Plantscapers, 2 Feb. 2017, https://plantscapers.com/the-dragon-tree-myth/.