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
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 08-17-2017
- 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):
References (external):
- 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.
- Desert Tropicals website
- UBC Botany Photo of the Day - January 21, 2010
data regenerated on Tue, 22 Aug 2017 13:52:53 -0400
- indicates flowering in past 10 days
- images available for this accession