Agarwood is identified internationally based on botanical classification method. Agarwood produced by tree species with different properties has different values in the market. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), only tree species of seven genera in the Thymelaeceae family, including Aquilaria spp., Gyrinops spp., Aetoxylon, Gonystylus, Phaleria, Enkleia, and Wikstroemia, can produce agarwood. The international standard states that the tree species that can produce agarwood must be Thymelaeceae.
According to the CITES, agarwood is mainly divided into three categories, they are true agarwood, crocodile agarwood, and fake agarwood. In this article, we will begin by exploring true agarwood. Let’s dive straight into the discussion!
Before 2004, it was recognized that the sources of true agarwood were 25 species of Aquilaria spp. and 7 species of Gyrinops spp. in the Thymelaeceae family. A total 32 species were listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for controlled trade in 2004. The wild agarwood produced bt these 32 species is the true agarwood recognized in international trade. Among them, Aquilaria malaccensis, which is the species that D’OPENER uses to make agarwood incense, was listed in Appendix II for control in 1995.
With the application of scientific and technological investigations, Aquilaria audate was added to the genus Aquilaria of Thymelaeceae family and Gyrinops walla was added to the Gyrinops to the Appendix II of the CITES in 2016. Therefore, the source of agarwood has become 26 species of the genus Aquilaria and 8 species of the genus Gyrinops of the Thymelaeceae family.
Aquilaria spp. species are distributed throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia. Aquilaria malaccensis is the most widely distributed and is found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Different from Aquilaria spp. species, Gyrinops spp. are mainly distributed in the eastern Indonesian archipelago and New Guinea.
From the distribution map of Aquilaria and Gyrinops, we can find that if Sulawesi Island in Indonesia is taken as the center line, the farther west the agarwood is, the better, and the farther away from the equator, the better. Of course, there are exceptions, agarwood from Brunei, North Vietnam, and Laos do not meet this standard. Take Brunei as an example, Brunei is located on the equator, but the agarwood production is the best in Borneo.
In this summary, true agarwood stands as a precious natural resource that varies significantly depending on its botanical origins and geographic distribution. As we’ve explored, the distinction between Aquilaria and Gyrinops species plays a crucial role in determining the quality and value of agarwood in the international market. The ongoing recognition and conservation efforts by CITES ensure the sustainable trade of these species, which is essential for protecting the delicate ecosystems where they thrive. Whether you are a collector, a user of agarwood prouducts, or simply interested in its rich history, understanding the origins and classifications of true agarwood enhances our appreciation of this remarkable material. As the journey of agarwood continues, it invites us all to respect and value the natural world it represents.
Source:
Xingxia, C., Zhencheng, L. (2017). Agarwood 2. Taiwan: Booker Publication.