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Accession Data:

Guaiacum sanctum L.

  • Common Name: Lignum Vitae
  • Family: Zygophyllaceae R.Br.

  • Country of Origin: Florida, Mexico to northern South America, West Indies
  • Habitat: lowland dry forests

  • Description: Large shrub or tree, up to 30 feet tall (10 m); pinnate leaves, up to 4 inches long (10 cm) with 4 to 10 deep green, oblong to obovate, leathery leaflets, up to 1.5 inches long (4 cm)
  • Uses: Laxative, poison antidote, appetite, gonorrhea, boils, fever, syphilis, sudorific, gout, rheumatism, dentifrice, coughs, tuberculosis

    also produces an extremely hard wood

    Population estimates suggest less than 2500 mature specimens in the wild, and those remaining individuals still face a rapid decline. Decline is principally due to deforestation and exploitation for human uses.3

    IMPORTANT NOTE: Plant Uses are for informational purposes only. EEB Greenhouses assume no responsibility for adverse effects from the use of any plants referred to on this site. Always seek advice from a professional before using any plant medicinally.

  • USDA Zone: 9b-12

Accession Data:

  • Accession # 200500052
  • Source: Judy Colley-Cant, Niagara Butterfly Cons
  • Accession Date: 06-16-2005
  • Bench: 1304 - NEOA: North Bench W
    • Currently: active - healthy
    • Qty: 2 confirmed on 05-13-2018
  • Restrictions:
    • IUCN Red List: Endangered Species
    • CITES Appendix II Listed Plant

Classification:

  • Division: Magnoliophyta
  • Class: Magnoliopsida
  • SubClass: eurosid I
  • Order: Zygophyllales
  • SubOrder:
  • Family: Zygophyllaceae
  • SubFamily: Zygophylloideae
  • Tribe:
  • SubTribe:

References (internal):

  • Bee Pollination (melittophily)
  • IUCN Redlist Endangered Species

References (external):

  1. Americas Regional Workshop (Conservation & Sustainable Management of Trees, Costa Rica) 1998. Guaiacum sanctum. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. . Downloaded on 21 January 2010.
  2. Desert Tropicals website
  3. UBC Botany Photo of the Day - January 21, 2010

data regenerated on Wed, 16 May 2018 13:09:34 -0400

Images:

Guaiacum sanctum

Additional images for this accession:

Click on thumbnails to enlarge

Current Accessions in the Zygophyllaceae

Subfamily Tribuloideae

  • Balanites maughamii

Subfamily Zygophylloideae

  • Guaiacum sanctum
  • Roepera morgsana W/C
W/C = Wild Collected
= indicates flowering in past 10 days
= images available for this accession
= map available for this accession
= voucher(s) on file at CONN for this accession
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