26 Nisan 2015 Pazar

Holywood Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum



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Commonly referred to as Holywood Lignum Vitae in English, and Guayacán, Guayacán Real and Palo Santo in Spanish, Guaiacum sanctum (Zygophyllales - Zygophyllaceae) is an evergreen tree that grows up to 25-30 m in height and 60 cm diameter at breast height. It has a very slow growth rate and it has been known to live for up to 1,000 years
The very attractive flowers have blue-violet petals and yellow stamens. Fruits are capsules 1.5-2.0 cm long, with four or five lobes and are bright orange-yellow when mature. They open to expose red, fleshy arils (seed coverings) which contain the hard, black, rounded seeds. 
Both the timber and medicinal resin of this tree are of commercial use and have been traded for several centuries. The wood is highly sought after for its desirable qualities of strength, toughness and density. The wood is largely used as a building material.
Currently, Guaiacum sanctum is listed as Endangered species on the IUCN Red List. It is native to Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, the United States (Florida), Costa Rica, Guatemala, Bahamas (national tree), Haiti, Cuba, Honduras, El Salvador, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Turks & Caicos Islands. However, in some of these countries, G. sanctum has become rare or is virtually extinct.
References: [1] - [2] - [3]
Photo credits: ©Keith A Bradley | Locality: Homestead, Florida, United States (2006, 2007) | [Top] - [Bottom]

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