Dragon’s Blood Tree
Scientific name: Pterocarpus officinalis
Overview
Dragon’s Blood Tree is a tropical hardwood species native to the Caribbean, Central America, northern South America, and portions of the West Indies. A member of the Fabaceae family, it commonly occurs in coastal wetlands, freshwater swamps, seasonally flooded forests, and other low-lying tropical environments. It is also known by several regional names and should not be confused with the unrelated Dracaena species commonly called dragon blood trees.
The wood is moderately heavy to heavy, with heartwood that can range from yellowish brown and reddish brown to deeper brown tones. Like other members of the Pterocarpus genus, it can produce attractive grain and useful mechanical properties. However, Pterocarpus officinalis is considerably less prominent in the international lumber trade than better-known relatives such as African Padauk and Amboyna. Its wood is primarily associated with regional construction, furniture, carpentry, turning, and specialty woodworking.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Dragon’s Blood Tree
- Scientific Name: Pterocarpus officinalis
- Region: Caribbean & West Indies Hardwoods
- Tree Size: 50–100 ft (15–30 m) tall, 2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m) trunk diameter
- Average Dried Weight: Approximately 45 lbs/ft³ (720 kg/m³)
- Janka Hardness: Reliable species-specific value not widely documented
- Grain: Straight to interlocked
- Texture: Medium to coarse
Identification Characteristics
Dragon’s Blood Tree typically produces yellowish-brown to reddish-brown heartwood that may deepen with age and exposure. The sapwood is generally considerably paler and more clearly differentiated. Grain can range from straight to interlocked, while the texture is typically medium to coarse.
Interlocked grain may produce attractive ribbon-like figure on quarter-sawn surfaces. The tree itself frequently develops pronounced buttresses when growing in wet or swampy environments.
Key identification traits include:
- Yellowish-brown to reddish-brown heartwood
- Paler, contrasting sapwood
- Straight to interlocked grain
- Medium to coarse texture
- Moderate natural luster
- Possible ribbon figure on quarter-sawn surfaces
- Large buttresses common on mature trees
Working Properties
Dragon’s Blood Tree generally works reasonably well with sharp hand and power tools. Interlocked grain can cause tear-out during planing, particularly on quarter-sawn surfaces, so careful cutting techniques are recommended. The wood turns and sands well and can produce an attractive finished surface.
- Machines reasonably well with sharp tools
- Turns well
- Sands to a smooth surface
- Accepts clear finishes well
- Good carving characteristics
- Interlocked grain may cause tear-out
- Pre-drilling may be helpful for fasteners
Safety Note
Wood dust from tropical Pterocarpus species may cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Appropriate dust collection, eye protection, and respiratory protection are recommended during machining and sanding.
Common Uses
Its strength, attractive coloration, and useful woodworking characteristics make Dragon’s Blood Tree suitable for numerous woodworking applications, including:
- Furniture
- Cabinetry
- Interior joinery
- Regional construction
- Turned objects
- Carvings
- Decorative woodworking
- Small specialty projects
- Craft items
- General carpentry
Sustainability & Notes
Dragon’s Blood Tree is particularly associated with tropical wetland and swamp forests, including coastal and riverine environments. These forests provide important wildlife habitat, water regulation, shoreline protection, and other ecological functions.
Because wetland forests can be vulnerable to drainage, agricultural conversion, coastal development, and other forms of habitat alteration, responsible sourcing is especially important when material from this species enters the timber trade.
The species is also botanically interesting because its extensive distribution connects Caribbean, Central American, and northern South American tropical forest ecosystems.
Comparative Notes & Related Species
African Padauk – A much better-known Pterocarpus species prized internationally for its vivid orange-red heartwood and excellent woodworking characteristics.
Sangre – Another member of the Pterocarpus genus associated with highly decorative wood, particularly prized burl and figured material.
Narra – A commercially important Pterocarpus wood valued for furniture, cabinetry, decorative veneer, and fine woodworking.
Related Guides
Pterocarpus Species Guide – Explore the diverse Pterocarpus genus and compare species known for padauk, narra, amboyna, and other distinctive tropical woods.
Understanding Interlocked vs. Straight Grain – Learn how grain orientation affects appearance, machining behavior, strength, and the likelihood of tear-out.
Wood Toxicity and Allergies Guide – Learn about possible reactions to wood dust and appropriate precautions when machining tropical hardwood species.
Compare Wood Properties
See how this species ranks in density and hardness using our Wood Density & Janka Hardness Chart. You can also explore Hardest Woods, Softest Woods, and Most Dense Woods for quick comparisons.
Collector Notes
Dragon’s Blood Tree is an excellent collector species because it represents a relatively obscure member of the important Pterocarpus genus. While African Padauk, Narra, and Amboyna are familiar to many exotic wood collectors, authenticated samples of Pterocarpus officinalis are considerably less common. Its unusual association with Caribbean and tropical American swamp forests further distinguishes it from many better-known members of the genus, making a documented specimen especially valuable in a comprehensive Pterocarpus collection.
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Wood Sample Collection
This species is part of an ongoing effort to document and preserve wood samples from around the world.
Learn more about contributing to the collection:
Resources
Authoritative botanical and forestry references used in compiling information about this species include:
• USDA Forest Service – Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material
https://www.fpl.fs.usda.gov/products/publications/
• The Wood Database – Global reference for wood identification, physical properties, and woodworking characteristics
https://www.wood-database.com/
• Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Plants of the World Online – Botanical taxonomy and species distribution database
https://powo.science.kew.org/
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List) – Global conservation status assessments
https://www.iucnredlist.org/
• Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – International trade regulations for protected plant species
https://cites.org/
Additional forestry publications, academic research papers, and regional timber studies may also be referenced where available.
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Availability & Where to Buy
Exotic hardwood availability can vary significantly depending on region, sustainability regulations, and supplier inventory.
As this archive grows, recommended suppliers and specialty wood retailers will be listed here to help woodworkers locate responsibly sourced material.
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