Also know as Gum Dragon or Syrian Tragacanth, is an exudate from a small thorny shrub (Astragalus genus) of the Leguminosae family which grows in Asia Minor, Persia and Kurdistan.

The plant exudes a gum, vertical slits giving flat ribbon-shaped pieces and punctures giving tears.

Tears are nearly colourless or faintly yellow, flakes are odourless and nearly tasteless.

Powdered Tragacanth is white to yellowish and odourless.