Sangre de Grado

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• dragon's blood
• dragon's-blood croton

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Oxydectes lechleri
• Croton draco var. cordatus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement in the genus Croton.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Croton lechleri, is found across several regions in Western South America. Its natural habitat encompasses the diverse landscapes of Colombia, where it thrives in tropical environments. The species is also widely distributed throughout the country of Ecuador. Furthermore, its range extends into the territory of Peru, contributing to its regional importance. Finally, this medicinal plant can be found growing within the borders of Bolivia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Croton lechleri is characterized by its specific adaptation to the Campo de Várzea habitat, where it thrives within these specialized grassland ecosystems. This species occupies a distinct altitudinal niche, maintaining an elevational range that begins at 370 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 700 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

700 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

370 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo de Várzea

Life history

The life history of Croton lechleri is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence within its tropical ecosystem. As a perennial, the plant does not complete its life cycle within a single growing season or two, but rather undergoes continuous development, often reaching significant structural maturity over many years. This longevity enables the plant to endure seasonal fluctuations and contribute consistently to its habitat through sustained growth and repeated reproductive cycles. Throughout its extended lifespan, the plant maintains its physiological functions, moving through various stages of vegetative expansion and periodic flowering, which ensures its long-term survival and ability to propagate within its native environment.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Croton lechleri is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, specifically developing as a tree. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber or a liana, nor does it exhibit parasitic behavior, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The plant is strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic qualities such as hemi-epiphytic or facultative epiphytic stages. In terms of stature, it reaches significant dimensions, with an average plant height of approximately 12 meters and a maximum recorded height of up to 18 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Croton lechleri is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a standard mechanism for many tropical woody species that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. In terms of its nutrient acquisition strategies, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium from the soil through its root system rather than establishing symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Croton lechleri has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Croton lechleri has 59 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Taspine, (+)-Gallocatechin, (+)-catechin, (-)-Epicatechin, (-)-Epigallocatechin.

Taspine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences

(+)-Gallocatechin

1. Dr. Duke

(+)-catechin

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Epicatechin

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Epigallocatechin

1. Dr. Duke

1,3,5-Trimethoxybenzene

1. Dr. Duke

2,4,6-Trimethoxyphenol

1. Dr. Duke

3',4-O-Dimethylcedrusin

1. Dr. Duke

3,4-DIMETHOXYPHENOL

1. Dr. Duke

4-Hydroxyphenethyl alcohol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Croton lechleri has 276 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antitumor, Analgesic, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antiviral.

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Planta medica

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of investigative dermatology

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Dermatologic therapy

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke
2. Dermatologic therapy

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

(-)-Inotropic

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Croton lechleri has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, cancers, edema, granuloma, itching.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations