- Croton lechleri
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Sangre de Drago Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae (unranked): Angiosperms (unranked): Eudicots (unranked): Rosids Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Subfamily: Crotonoideae Tribe: Crotoneae Genus: Croton Species: C. lechleri Binomial name Croton lechleri Croton lechleri, known as Sangre de Grado, is a plant native to north-eastern South America.[1] Its name translates as "Dragon's blood", and is derived from the appearance of the tree's sap, or latex: when the bark is cut, the thick red latex that oozes forth resembles blood.
The latex has medicinal properties, and is used by local peoples as a liquid bandage, applied to seal wounds, as it dries quickly to form a protective skin-like barrier. The latex also contains a number of chemicals, including taspine, that have wound-healing properties. Its use by native people has led to scientific interest, which has confirmed the sap's significant antioxidant activity.[2]
References
- ^ Tropical Plant Database Entry: Sangre de Grado
- ^ Lopes, M. I. L. E.; Saffi, J.; Echeverrigaray, S. R.; Henriques, J. O. A. P. G.; Salvador, M. (December 2004). "Mutagenic and antioxidant activities of Croton lechleri sap in biological systems". Journal of Ethnopharmacology 95 (2–3): 437–445. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.08.025. PMID 15507372.
Categories:- Croton
- Euphorbiaceae stubs
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