Lignum-Vitae
Guaiacum officinale
Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Zygophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Guaiacum
- Species:
- Guaiacum officinale
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 12-20 ft
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar, apr, may, jun, jul, aug
- Bloom Colors:
- blue
Native Range
United States: Florida, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to coastal areas with sandy soils
Germination Information
Pre-treatment: Seeds are sown directly after cleaning. No pre-treatment is required.
Establishment: Ripe fruits are taken directly from the tree when the red aril is exposed. No seeds were taken from the ground. However, seeds are more easily collected when they have fallen from the tree. This species is found in the West Indies, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, and is introduced in southern Florida, Bermuda, Trinidad and elsewhere in tropical America.
Source: npn.rngr.net