Croton lechleri: The Amazonian Tree Behind Dragon's Blood Resin
Croton lechleri — known across the Peruvian Amazon as Sangre de Drago — is the tree species responsible for the deep red latex sold worldwide as Dragon's Blood Resin. This is the technical, sourcing and sustainability reference for buyers evaluating bulk supply.
What is Croton lechleri?
Croton lechleri Müll. Arg. is a flowering tree of the Euphorbiaceae family, native to the western Amazon basin across Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Bolivia. When the bark is cut, the tree exudes a thick, blood-red latex traditionally used by Amazonian indigenous communities for wound healing, skin conditions and gastrointestinal complaints.
In international commerce this latex is marketed under several names: Dragon's Blood, Sangre de Drago, Sangre de Grado, or its scientific designation. Pharmaceutically, the most studied bioactive compounds are taspine (alkaloid with cicatrizing activity) and proanthocyanidin SP-303 — the precursor of the FDA-approved drug Crofelemer.
Botanical & commercial specifications
| Scientific name | Croton lechleri Müll. Arg. |
|---|---|
| Family | Euphorbiaceae |
| Common names | Sangre de Drago, Sangre de Grado, Dragon's Blood Tree, Sangre de Dragón |
| Origin | Western Amazon basin (Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia) |
| Habitat | Lowland and pre-montane tropical rainforest, 200–1,500 m elevation |
| Tree height | 10–20 m at maturity |
| Productive age | 5–8 years from planting |
| Resin yield | 200–500 mL per tree per harvest cycle |
| Active compounds | Taspine, proanthocyanidin SP-303, dimethylcedrusine, lignans, tannins |
| Color (latex) | Deep red to crimson, viscous |
| Resin pH | 5.0 – 6.0 |
| Shelf life (sealed) | 24 months at 15–25 °C, sheltered from direct light |
Croton lechleri vs. other "Dragon's Blood" species
Several botanically unrelated species are sold under the umbrella name "Dragon's Blood". They are not interchangeable: bioactive profile, color, and commercial price differ significantly.
| Species | Family | Origin | Distinguishing trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croton lechleri | Euphorbiaceae | Peruvian Amazon | Liquid red latex from bark. Contains taspine + SP-303. Most pharmacologically studied. Premium B2B supply. |
| Daemonorops draco | Arecaceae (palm) | Southeast Asia (Indonesia) | Solid resin from fruit scales. Used historically as dye, varnish and incense. |
| Dracaena cinnabari | Asparagaceae | Socotra (Yemen) | Crystalline red resin from trunk. Extremely limited supply (endangered species, no large-scale export). |
| Pterocarpus officinalis | Fabaceae | Caribbean / Central America | Dark red sap. Used regionally but rarely in international trade. |
For buyers in pharma, cosmetic and nutraceutical sectors, Croton lechleri is the species with the strongest clinical research record and the most consistent industrial-grade supply chain out of Peru.
Sustainability & harvest
Authentic Amazon Andes Croton lechleri latex is sourced from cultivated plantations, not wild-harvested trees, to prevent ecosystem pressure. Our supply chain follows three principles:
- Plantation-based: trees grown in agroforestry systems alongside cacao, plantain and native species — never clear-cut from primary forest.
- Selective tapping: bark incisions are rotated across the trunk and allowed to heal; each tree is harvested no more than 2× per year to preserve productive life of 15+ years.
- Indigenous-led: growers are organized in cooperatives from San Martín, Ucayali and Loreto regions, with direct payment structures and traceable lot codes.
Each shipment is traceable to the cooperative of origin, harvest date and lot. Certificates available on request: USDA Organic (for selected lots), HACCP, Phytosanitary and Free Sale Certificate (Peruvian DIGEMID/SENASA).
Industrial applications
Pharmaceutical
Active pharmaceutical ingredient research focuses on SP-303 (Crofelemer) — an FDA-approved antidiarrheal drug derived from Croton lechleri. Bulk latex is supplied to API manufacturers, contract research organizations and clinical formulators.
Cosmetic & personal care
Anti-aging serums, wound-care creams, after-sun lotions and oral care formulations leverage the astringent and cicatrizing properties of the resin. Standard usage rate is 0.5–3% in finished cosmetic formulas.
Nutraceutical & herbal
Liquid tinctures, capsules and oral drops marketed for digestive health, immune support and traditional herbal use. Typically blended with carrier oils, glycerin or alcoholic extracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Croton lechleri legal to import?
Yes. Croton lechleri is not CITES-listed and is freely traded internationally as a botanical raw material. Importers should verify domestic regulations for use as cosmetic, food or pharmaceutical input — Amazon Andes provides all phytosanitary and origin documentation required by customs in the US, EU, UK, Japan and Korea.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
Standard B2B MOQ is 25 kg of liquid latex (sealed HDPE drums). Smaller test orders of 5 kg are available for evaluation. For powdered or spray-dried formats the MOQ is 10 kg.
How is the latex preserved during shipping?
Liquid latex is filtered, stabilized with food-grade citric acid (≤ 0.1%) and bottled in light-protective HDPE drums. Cold-chain shipping is not required; product is stable at 15–25 °C for 24 months sealed.
Can you supply lab analysis with each shipment?
Yes. Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis covering total solids, pH, density, taspine titration (HPLC) and microbiological profile (total plate count, yeast/mold, E. coli, Salmonella).
Where can I see your full product catalogue?
Visit our main product page for the complete Dragon's Blood Resin specifications, pricing tiers and request a quote.
Request bulk samples & quote
If you're sourcing authentic Croton lechleri latex for pharmaceutical, cosmetic or nutraceutical use, we ship plantation-traceable bulk supply from Peru with full documentation.
Contact our B2B team →