Lignum-Vitae
Guaiacum officinale
- Native to:
- Aruba, Bahamas, Cayman Is., Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Netherlands Antilles, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., United States, Venezuela, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © daironcuevasriveras (iNaturalist #301041784)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Zygophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Guaiacum
- Species:
- Guaiacum officinale
- USDA Symbol:
- GUOF
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
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
Propagation & Germination
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water) to break hard seed coat; germination is slow and erratic.
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