Bloodwood
Pterocarpus officinalis Jacq.
Pterocarpus officinalis is a species in the Fabaceae family, commonly known as Bloodwood or dragonsblood tree. It is native to regions including southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. The plant is typically found in coastal freshwater or slightly brackish habitats, often associated with mangroves in more saline areas. It is distributed across several parks and protected areas in Colombia, as well as in Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador. The timber of this species is commercially traded.
Description
Pterocarpus officinalis (Jacq.) is a flowering plant in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is native to coastal and lowland regions from southern Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean to northern South America. The species is often found in freshwater or slightly brackish environments, typically in proximity to mangrove ecosystems. It is documented in various protected areas in Colombia, such as the Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete and others. The species was first described in 1763. The name Pterocarpus officinalis has been subject to nomenclatural discussion, including a historical misattribution by Airy Shaw. The plant's wood is used in commercial trade.
Other common names
BloodwoodDragon Blood Treedragonsblood tree
Distribution
Antioquia, Cauca, Chocó, Nariño, Valle del Cauca · BR · Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete | Santuario de Flora y Fauna El Corchal ¨El Mono Hernández¨ | Parque Nacional Natural Paramillo | Parque Nacional Natural Tinigua | Parque Nacional Natural Utría | Parque Nacional Natural Los Katíos · Los Mangos Hacienda La Cabaña · Cimitarra · Amazonas, Antioquia, Cauca, Chocó, Nariño, Valle · Humedal costero Obregón, Guapi, Cauca · Amazonia nororiental de Colombia, departamento del Guainía, municipio de Inírida. · Global · Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete (PNNSCh) · Municipios de Carmen del Darién, Río Sucio y Unguía, Cuenca del Atrato · Río Atrato, Municipios de Quibdó y Rioquito · Belize · Brazil Northeast · Brazil North · Colombia · Costa Rica · Cuba · Dominican Republic · Ecuador · French Guiana · Guatemala · Guyana · Haiti · Honduras · Jamaica · Leeward Is. · Mexico Gulf · Mexico Southeast · Mexico Southwest
Synonyms
Lingoum officinaleMoutouchi crispataMoutouchi suberosaPterocarpus officinalis subsp. officinalisPterocarpus belizensisPterocarpus crispatusPterocarpus dracoPterocarpus suberosusPterocarpus hemipterusPterocarpus moutouchiPterocarpus sanguis-draconisMoutouchi draco
