Common Name: Sangra d'Agua

General Information

Croton urucurana is a deciduous shrub or a tree with an open and irregularly-shaped crown; it can grow 7 - 14 metres tall. The bole can be 25 - 35cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of timber. It is also suitable for use as a pioneer species in restoring native woodland.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil.

Habitat

Gallery forests, characteristic of very humid and swampy terrains[]. Found mainly in secondary formations[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Plants are tolerant of seasonal inundation of the soil[]. Most Croton species are relatively indifferent to their habitat and can grow on a wide range of soils in both disturbed and undisturbed vegetation[].
A fast-growing tree[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

This is one of several Croton species that have the common name 'Sangre de Drago', or 'Dragon's Blood' in allusion to the red resin that exudes from various parts of the plant, but mainly from the bark. This resin has a number of useful medicinal properties, in particular it is astringent and vulnerary and is an effective healing agent that is commonly applied to wounds in order to speed the healing process[, ].
This red resin, obtained from various South American Croton species, contains a dihydrobenzofuran lignan that has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation, which may well explain its application in folk medicine[].

The bark is astringent and vulnerary. It is applied topically to heal wounds[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing, pioneer species, well-adapted to wet and swampy terrains, it is an ideal choice for re-establishing woodland in riverine areas[].

Other Uses

The wood is hard, moderately heavy, of good mechanical resistance and with moderate durability when exposed to the elements. It can be used in boat construction, hydraulic work, carpentry and cabinet making; also for external purpose such as railway sleepers and stays[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 15 - 25 days[]. When the seedlings are 4 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 5 months later[].
The seed has a viability of less than 4 months[].

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