New knowledge in dragon tree research

Dragon trees, arborescent members ofthe genus <i>Dracaena</i> (Asparagaceae), provide awide range ofecosystem services and have been ethnobotanically important plants since ancient times. Currently, their relictual distribution isfragmented, populations are isolated and often under threat. Weprovide abrief overview ofscientific studies and the state ofknowledge ondragon trees published since 2020, when the last review was published. More than 120 papers dealing with dragon trees have appeared, indicating asignificant interest intheir research, cultural uses and conservation. The most intensively investigated species are <i>Dracaena cochinchinensis</i>, <i>D. cinnabari</i>, <i>D. draco</i> and <i>D. cambodiana</i>. Almost half of the papers deal with the chemical composition of resin and its bioactivity, in addition to studies on ecology, conservation and genetics. Only a few studies are devoted to taxonomy and ethnobotany.