Which species is “Dragon's blood”?
“Dragon's blood” is a red resin name shared by unrelated genera on different continents — Croton lechleri (sangre de grado, Amazonia) and Daemonorops draco (the Southeast Asian rattan resin of incense commerce) — with documented substitution between resin sources.
The species behind the name
- Dragon's Blood (Sangre de Grado)
Croton lechleri
Croton lechleri (sangre de grado) — the Amazonian tree latex with a modern research record (taspine, SP-303/crofelemer lineage).
- Dragon's Blood (Daemonorops)
Daemonorops draco (Willd.) Blume
Daemonorops draco — the rattan-fruit resin of incense and varnish commerce; a different plant, chemistry, and use tradition.
How to tell what a product actually is
- Form is the cue: liquid latex products are Croton; hard resin chunks/powder for incense are usually Daemonorops (or historically Dracaena).
- Resin-source substitution across the dragon's-blood category is documented — the romantic name carries zero species information.
Educational use only. This page explains species identity — it makes no claim that any species works for anything, and it is never a place to decide what to take. It is not a substitute for medical advice. If you take medication, talk to your clinician or pharmacist before adding any botanical, whichever species it turns out to be.