Common lignum-vitae, Guaiac tree
Guaiacum officinale

Family: Zygophyllaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 8 m tall. The leaves are 5-12 cm long. There are 4-6 leaflets. These are broadly oval and rounded at the tip. The veins are raised underneath. The flowers are about 2.5 cm across. They are blue-purple to white. The petals are hairy on the upper surface. The ovary has 2 lobes. The fruit are heart shaped and 2 cm long. There is 1 seed in each lobe. The seed is brownish and about 1.2 cm long.

There are 4 or 5 Guaiacum species. They occur in Central America. The resin is used in medicine. It is the official emblem of the Bahamas.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs a temperature above 15°C. It grows in lowland dry forest often near the coast.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Asia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Caribbean (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Panama, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, Suriname, Tobago, USA, Venezuela, West Indies (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The plant is the source of a resin used for flavouring cakes and chicle. It is added to edible oils to prevent acidification and improve keeping quality. The cooked fruit are tean.

Because the wood is very hard and attractive, forests have been cleared.

Edible parts

Resin - flavouring, fruit, seed

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Guajacan negro, Lignum-vitae, Pohon lignuma, Wayaca, Wayaka

Synonyms

Guaiacum bijugum Stokes; Guiacum breynii Spreng.; Guajacum officinale L.;