Introduction to The British Gardener's website

Guaiacum officinale

COMMON NAME

Lignum-vitae Tree

TYPE

Tree

FAMILY

Zygophyllaceae

NOTES

This small tree is very slow growing, reaching about 33 ft in height.  The blue flowers have five petals that yield a bright-yellow-orange fruit with red flesh and black seeds. An extremely valuable timber is obtained from the tree. The name lignum-vitae (wood of life) originated from the supposition that the material was possessed of extraordinary remedial powers.

GEOGRAPHIC REGION

Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Virgin Islands and Colombia.

NATIVE HABITAT

Lowland dry forest, woodland and thicket, frequently growing in coastland areas.

WEB SOURCES

wikipedia.org

tropical.theferns.info

iucnredlist.org



Guaiacum officinale