The genetic structuring among the major groups of guaiacum shows evidence of isolation. Department of agriculture agricultural research service. Guaiacum officinale sometimes grows in association with a sister species, g. John k francis is a research forester at the international institute of tropical. Lignum vitae is latin for tree of life, and it was applied to guaiacum because of the plants medicinal properties. Its wood is extremely hard, and were used to make ship propellers. Guaiac, a natural resin extracted from the wood, is a colorless compound that turns blue when placed in contact with substances that have peroxidase activity and then are. With a rounded canopy that is often compared to a crapemyrtle, holy wood can be grown as a small, multiple. It ranges from southern florida in the united states. A slow growing and small tree, occasionally growing up to 50ft. The guaiacum sanctum is commonly called the lignum vitae, translating to wood of life or holy wood.
Guaiacum, guayacan, pockholz, tree of life, holy wood. Department of agriculture, forest service, international institute of for rio piiras, pr. It will grow over time to as much as 35 tall with a dense rounded canopy, but. Guaiacum sanctum, commonly known as holywood or holywood lignumvitae, is a species of. Text is available under the creative commons attributionsharealike license. The crooked trunk can take many twists and turns to develop an unusual tree unlike no other in your collection. Diagram of adult guaiacum sanctum individuals within a. Guaiacum sanctum small evergreen tree of the southern united states and west indies a source of lignum vitae wood bastard lignum vitae genus. Guaiacum sanctum synonyms, guaiacum sanctum pronunciation, guaiacum sanctum translation, english dictionary definition of guaiacum sanctum. Pdf genetic diversity in the endangered tropical tree. Perspectives on the systematics and phylogenetics of guaiacum. The leaves are arranged oppositely and have six to 10 opposite leaflets that are apiculate and have stipules at their leaflet bases. Why was the guaiaca tree, guaiacum officinale, so important. Rare and slow growing small tree, hard to propagate.
Guajacum sanctum plant finder missouri botanical garden. It is specially useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis, also in cases of chronic rheumatism and gout. Guaiacum sanctum definition of guaiacum sanctum by the free. Habitat, bahamas and south florida is also used for the same purposes as g. Guaiacum wood guaiacum wood is the heartwood of guaiacum officinale, linn. Both the timber and medicinal resin are of commercial use and have been traded in quantity for several centuries. An ethnobotany case by eric ribbens, barbra burdett, and angela green department of biological science western illinois university part ianecdotal. The crooked trunk can take many twists and turns to develop an. This page was last edited on 22 december 2019, at 08. Holywood lignum vitae guaiacum sanctum, exotic florida. With showy blue flowers that are evident year round, holywood is a slow growing evergreen tree. It ranges from india, sri lanka, java and the tivu.
Pdf conservacion del guayacan real guaiacum sanctum l. Guaiacum sanctum country mexico original language english nondetriment findings report on guaiacum sanctumin mexico authors. Lignum vitae provides food and shelter for birds and is a nectar source for butterflies and bees. Jan 02, 2015 this page was last edited on 22 december 2019, at 08. Guaiacum sanctum occurs on all island groups in the bahamian archipelago as well as south florida, the caribbean, and central and south america. This page was last edited on 15 october 2019, at 10. Guaiacum sanctum in the germplasm resources information network grin, u. The leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for soap. It is the national tree of the bahamas, and its flower is the national blossom of jamaica. Watson2 introduction lignumvitae is an extremely slowgrowing broadleaf evergreen which ultimately reaches 30 to 40 feet in height and casts light shade, but few people have seen plants of this size because it is not grown in the trade fig. All structured data from the file and property namespaces. Hosted by the usgs core science analytics and synthesis. Guaiacum, guayacan, pockholz, tree of life, holy wood, lignum.
This gnarly, evergreen, slowgrowing shrub or small tree is native to the gravelly plains of western. Wildscreens arkive project was launched in 2003 and grew to become the worlds biggest encyclopaedia of life on earth. Guaiacum sanctum, commonly called lignum vitae wood of life or palo santo holy wood, is a slowgrowing, multistemmed, broadleaf evergreen tree or shrub that is native primarily to dry coastal areas in the florida keys, bahamas, west indies, central american and northern south america. Holywood lignum vitae guaiacum sanctum, exotic florida wood rare seed 10 seeds 1. The basic twoword term lignum vitae is somewhat misleading, because it applies not only to g. Guaiacum sanctum grows in limestone based dry broadleaf evergreen formations in both coastal and interior habitats. Guaiacum sanctum, commonly called lignum vitae wood of life or palo santo holy wood, is a slowgrowing, multistemmed, broadleaf evergreen tree or shrub that is native. It is also the larval host plant for lyside sulphur butterflies. The heartwood of guaiacum officinale linne or of guaiacum sanctum linne fam. The spanish brought it to europe at the beginning of the 16th century, where it became popular as lignum sanctum, holy wood, or even lignum. Lignum vitae is an extremely slowgrowing broadleaf evergreen which ultimately reaches 30 feet in height and casts light shade, but few people have seen plants of this size because it is not grown in the trade. The trunk can be to 1 meter in diameter but usually much smaller and. Guaiacum sanctum holywood lignum vitae richard lyons.
Spatial genetic structure within size classes of the endangered tropical tree guaiacum sanctum zygophyllaceae. Background this feis document provides maps of the ranges of tree species in north america. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and uptodate information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in. Alejandro zunigaortiz at national university of costa rica. Beth tonoany is a tropical population ecologist who has been studying an unusual tree, guaiacum sanctum, which once grew throughout. The website also provides access to a database and images of herbarium specimens found at the university of south florida and other herbaria. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. The following association containing lignumvitae was. Lilian ferrufino at national autonomous university of honduras. With the help of over 7,000 of the worlds best wildlife filmmakers and photographers, conservationists and scientists.
All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the creative commons cc0 license. Department of agriculture, fcrest service, rio pr 009282500. Jun 14, 20 the basic twoword term lignum vitae is somewhat misleading, because it applies not only to g. Nicaragua seymour, 1980, guatemala chickering, 1973 y wendelken, 1987, pero vease aguilar, 1958. Guaiacum officinale is one of two species yielding the true lignum vitae, the other being guaiacum sanctum. It ranges from india, sri lanka, java and the tivu islets of the indian ocean, southern florida in the united states and the bahamas south to central america and the greater antilles. Lignum vitae provides food and shelter for birds and is a.
Provided by usda nrcs national plants data team npdt. All structured data from the file and property namespaces is available under the. Guaiacum guatemalense, guaiacum multijugum, guaiacum parvifolium, guaiacum sloanei, guaiacum verticale lignum sanctum is an evergreen shrub or tree. The trunk can be to 1 meter in diameter but usually much smaller and branching at its base.
Guaiacum officinale grows from near sea level to 300 or 400 m in elevation francis 1993. Thus far, my own specimen has done well here in san jose, ca. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or. The website also provides access to a database and images of herbarium. In particular, the wood is used as a mild laxative and diuretic. Desert tropicals website ubc botany photo of the day january 21, 2010 the plant list 20.
Watson2 introduction lignumvitae is an extremely slowgrowing broadleaf evergreen which. Consumption of guaiacum sanctum fruit in the arid interior of guatemala. Native to the bahamas, the west indies and southern florida particularly the florida keys in the united states, it has small, blue flowers. Guaiacum sanctum definition of guaiacum sanctum by the. They were compiled mostly by little see references below and digitized by thompson et al. This document is enh445, one of a series of the environmental horticulture department, ufifas extension. Itis taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties.
Leon levy native plant preserve plant listings guaiacum. Genetic diversity in the endangered tropical tree, guaiacum sanctum zygophyllaceae. Files are available under licenses specified on their description page. Guaiacum sanctum, commonly known as holywood or holywood lignumvitae, is a species of flowering plant in the creosote bush family, zygophyllaceae. With the help of over 7,000 of the worlds best wildlife filmmakers and photographers, conservationists and scientists, featured multimedia factfiles for more than 16,000 endangered species. It is specially useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis, also in cases of chronic rheumatism and gout where it relieves the pain and inflammation between the attacks, and can lessen their recurrence if doses are continued. Small yellow heart shaped berries follow the flowers but are also often present. The mexican populations cover a greater portion of the species natural. Page designed through the cooperative efforts of interagency itis teams.
Archived 20140627 at the wayback machine downloaded on 21 august 2007. Pdf spatial genetic structure within size classes of the. This tree is sometimes referred to as the tree of life because of its many uses. A rounded evergreen tree from central america, the west indies and the keys of florida, it is extremely slow growing and has a airy, crooked, knotty form that adds to its beauty. This page was last edited on 18 december 2019, at 21. Guaiacum sanctum, lignum vitae, tree of life, gaiac tree. Abundant flowers range in color from purple to blue, it is the national flower of jamaica.
The wood is very dense and does not float, but less so than the common lignum vitae guaiacum officinale. Most people know guaiacum sanctum simply as lignum vitae, but its true recognized common name is actually holywood lignum vitae. An ethnobotany case by eric ribbens, barbra burdett, and angela green department of biological science western illinois university part ianecdotal evidence dr. A list of lyrics, artists and songs that contain the term guaiacum sanctum from the lyrics. While i would consider this species highly experimental this far north thus far, it is none the less something every serious plant geek should try. Lignum vitae is a small native tree that produces dark blue to purple flowers several times a year. Guaiac, a natural resin extracted from the wood, is a colorless compound that turns blue. Guaiacum sanctum grows as a small shrub to medium size tree up to 10 meters in height. Dec 25, 2019 guaiacum videos, photos and facts guaiacum coulteri arkive. Guaiacum officinale is the national flower of jamaica.
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