Lignum Vitae

Guajacum officinale L. (Common Lignum Vitae)

Guajacum sanctum L. (Holy Wood Lignum Vitae)

LIG-num off-iss-ah-NAY-lee and SANK-tum

Zygophyllaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from the name of the resin (variably spelled, e.g., guaiac gum) from these trees. Sanctum means holy, thus the contrived English name “Holy Wood.”  NE1 reports the name sanctum to be based on  an erroneous perception that the tree grows in St. John. Officinale means useful medicinally.

Note: Taxonomy and nomenclature on this page follows WU1, WU2.

Natural ranges:

Guajacum officinale, not native to Florida, from Tropical America, escaped a little in southernmost Florida

Guajacum sanctum, native (Miami-Dade, Keys, Caribbean) (NE1)

Recognition: Shrubs or trees with extremely hard, dense wood; leaves even-pinnate, each leaflet with a small pointy tip; flowers flue-violet, radially symmetrical. With 5 showy petals.

Guajacum Key Modified from WU1:

1. Corolla with tiny hairs; fruit heart-shaped with 2 winged angles; leaflets usually 4…G. officinale

1. Corolla hairless; fruit egg-shaped; with 5 winged angles; leaflets usually 6-10…G. sanctum

Landscape uses: Slow, growing, small specimen trees with showy bluish flowers.

This species and G. sanctum with distinguished history in local medicine, and in woodworking. Lignum Vitae Key is a state preserve housing this species. Difficult to transplant (see MAC for discussion).