lignum vitae

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Trunk of lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale).

Leaves and fruit of the lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale).

tropical hardwoods selected to show variations

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lignum vitae

plant

Also known as: guaiacum wood

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

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Related Topics:: wood; Guaiacum; Guaiacum officinale

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lignum vitae, (genus Guaiacum), any of several trees in the family Zygophyllaceae (order Zygophyllales), particularly Guaiacum officinale, native to the New World tropics.

G. officinale occurs from the southern United States to northern South America. It grows about 9 metres (30 feet) tall and reaches a diameter of about 25 cm (10 inches). The evergreen leaves are opposite, divided into leaflets (arranged along an axis), and leathery in texture. The flowers are bright blue when first open but gradually fade to white. The yellow heart-shaped fruit is about 2 cm (0.8 inch) long.

lignum vitaeLignum vitae, a tropical hardwood.

The tree is the source of a very hard and heavy wood that is brownish green in colour. It is used to make pulleys, shafts, axles, and bowling balls. The wood is relatively waterproof because of its high fat content. The resin, called guaiacum, is obtained from the wood by distillation; it is used to treat respiratory disorders.

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This article was most recently revised and updated by Robert Curley.