Weird & Wonderful

Trees, so special!

They might not be able to move around or speak out, but they can still be cool and special. You may already be aware of the giant sequoia tree, but there are others that are unique. This month is dedicated to all the special trees found across the world.

Illustration: © Rama Ramesh

My name is Red!

When you see a name like that you know that this is going to be an interesting tree. The Dragon’s Blood Tree got its name from its bright red sap, made up of a cocktail of chemicals. This sap was used as a colourant in the mummification process, and today, even as a natural remedy for gastrointestinal troubles. The tree has an interesting back story. About 500 years ago, there was a flightless bird species that ate the fruits of this tree. It helped disperse the seeds and kept the population of the tree stable. After the bird went extinct, the tree also went into decline.

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Rama Ramesh is a creative writer who has written stories and features for children’s magazines and has co-authored a series of nanotechnology books for kids.

Rama Ramesh

Rama Ramesh is a creative writer who has written stories and features for children’s magazines and has co-authored a series of nanotechnology books for kids.