Pao Santo
Bulnesia sarmientoi

Family: Zygophyllaceae

What it is like

Pao Santo, Bulnesia samientoi, is a tropical, slow-growing, deciduous tree found in South America. It grows up to 18 m tall and its crown is arching and spreading. The cylindrical bole is short and up to 70 cm in diameter. Wood yields a rose-like scented essential oil known as “guaiac oil” used in making perfume, soap, etc. The wood is very heavy, hard, and resistant. It is used as material for items that require great resistance to abrasion and as a fuel.

Bulnesia sarmientoi is a deciduous Tree growing to 18 m (59ft) by 18 m (59ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 18

Where it is found

Found mainly in deciduous, calcareous forests, open forests, in dryland varzeas on very saline soils with good deep water humidity.

Tropical S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, eastern Brazil and Bolivia.

Conservation Status: Lower Risk/conservation dependent

Countries/locations it is found in

Coming Soon

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The plant is used medicinally.

Other

Rating: 4

Other uses rating: High (4/5). The tree is exploited from the wild for its timber and essential oil. An essential oil is distilled from the wood. It has a soft, rose-like scent. Known as guaiac oil, it is used in perfumery, making soap etc. It is said to conceal the harsh notes of some synthetic aromatics. The wood is very heavy, very hard and resistant, pleasantly scented with a fine and homogenous texture. It has crystals of calcium oxalate and resin amongst its fibres and is extremely durable, even when exposed. It is used for items that require great resistance to abrasion, such as bushings and vessel helices. It is also much used for lathe work. When used as a fuel, the wood gives off a fragrant smoke.

Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Soap making: Plants used as an ingredient in making soaps. Does not include the essential oils, dyes and oils that are also used in making soap.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Grows best in a sunny position. Plants are slow to establish and grow away slowly.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed or in containers. Germination rates are normally low, occurring in 3 - 4 weeks.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Pao Santo, Bulnesia samientoi

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.