The seven genera in the Thymelaeceae family, including Aquilaria spp., Gyrinops spp., Aetoxylon, Gonystylus, Phaleria, Enkleia, and Wikstroemia, can produce agarwood, but only Aquilaria spp., and Gyrinops spp., are internationally recognized as true agarwood.
The genera Aetoxylon and Gonystylus can also produce lower quality agarwood. This type of agarwood has a pungent aroma when burned, so there is a significant price difference when compared to true agarwood. This type of agarwood is called crocodile agarwood (buaya agarwood). Because crocodile agarwood can produce lower quality agarwood oil, this crocodile agarwood still has quite good commercial value.
The high price of agarwood today has resulted in several manufactures selling crocodile agarwood and labeling it as true agarwood. The similarity between crocodile agarwood and true agarwood makes agarwood collectors often mistake crocodile agarwood for true agarwood, resulting in losses for collectors.The appearance of some crocodile agarwood is very similar to true agarwood, it is impossible to distinguish the authenticity of agarwood from agarwood photos alone. In addition, some irresponsible traders paint unformed agarwood with dark brown oil paint that is similar to agarwood to make it look like true agarwood. If we do not evaluate it and only judge it from the photo or appearance, we will be easily fooled.
However, for some people, especially in China, most crocodile agarwood has an unpleasant aroma when burned, so it cannot be used to make incense. Three species of Aetoxylon are widely distributed to Sarawak and Kalimantan. The production of crocodile agarwood from Aetoxylon is much more than true agarwood on the market. Based on Anderson’s survey in 1995 (which is long time ago), crocodile agarwood was exported a lot to India, but mostly to Singapore and Indonesia.
In your area, is crocodile agarwood in high demand? Please comment down below!
Source:
Xingxia, C., Zhencheng, L. (2017). Agarwood 2. Taiwan: Booker Publication.