Lignum Vitae - Tree of life

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Lignum vitae
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One of the hardest, densest wood in the world,
Lignum Vitae (means wood of life" in Latin)
is called the "Tree of Life" as well as "Iron
Wood"
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The lignum vitae (Guiacum Officinale) was found
in Jamaica by Christopher Columbus. The short,
compact tree is native to continental tropical
American and the West Indies. Locally, it grows
best in the dry woodland along the north and
south coasts of the island. The Latin name Lignum
Vitae which means tree of life or wood of
life is very suitable, due to the fact that this
flowering, evergreen tree has many medicinal uses
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Lignum Vitae Guaiacum officinale, Jamaica
National Flower
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Lignum Vitae Guaiacum officinale, Jamaica
National Flower
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Lignum Vitae Guaiacum officinale, Jamaica
National Flower
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Lignum Vitae is regarded by most to be both the
heaviest and hardest wood in the world. When
placed in water, the wood will increase in
density as it absorbs water eventually it will
become heavier than water, and sink
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The wood of the Lignum Vitae tree is very durable
for outdoor use, and is also very resistant to
insect attack. Its natural oils provide
self-lubrication that gives the wood excellent
wear resistance. However, due to its extremely
high density, it is known to dull cutters, and is
considered quite difficult to work with. Also,
because of its high oil content and density, its
very difficult to get a strong and reliable glue
joint. Lignum Vitae is used for making tool
handles, mallet heads, bearings, bushings, pulley
wheels, gigs, and turned objects.
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The Lignum Vitae tree has been exploited (for
both its wood and resin extracts) to the brink of
extinction, and is now listed as an endangered
species
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The Lignum Vitae is a very slow growing tree,
reaching heights of up to 30 40ft (9m 12m).
The tree is drought-tolerant with average water
needs, and thrives in full sun. The flowers which
are light blue or medium-blue in colour are
attractive to butterflies and its wood has a
mild, perfume-like fragrance.
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The tree is the source of a very hard and heavy
wood that is brownish green in colour.  The wood
is relatively waterproof because of its high fat
content
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The resin, called guaiacum, is obtained from the
wood by distillation it is used to treat
respiratory disorders
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Some Lignum Vitae trees have lived as long as
1000 years
A Liguus Tree Snail (Liguus fasciatus) chilling
on a Lignum vitae tree (Guaiacum officinale) at
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, Islamorada,
Florida
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A guaiacwood tree, grown by Princess Sirindhorn
at the Ratchaburi National Museum, Thailand
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The plant is extremely ornamental, producing an
attractive blue flower and orange-yellow fruit. A
gum obtained from its resin was once regarded as
a purgative, which was exported to Europe from
the early sixteenth century as a remedy (combined
with mercury) for syphilis and has also been used
as a remedy for gout. The body, bark, fruit,
leaves and blossom are also useful. The wood was
once used as propeller shaft bearings in nearly
all the ships sailing the Seven Seas.
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According to this University of Florida
article by horticulturist Stephen Brown, it is
the only wood with a specific gravity of 1.09,
enabling it to sink in salt water. It also
resists rot caused by insects and moisture.
Because of its toughness, the wood is also used
for items such as mortars, mallets, pulleys and
batons carried by policemen. Sometimes it is used
for furniture and carvings
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Lignum Vitae has a distinct, perfume-like
fragrance that lingers even after it has been
machined.
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Guaiacum officinale Oahu, Ala Moana Beach Park
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Guaiacum officinale is one of two species
yielding the true lignum vitae, the other being
Guaiacum sanctum Guaiac, a natural resin
extracted from the wood, is a colorless compound
that turns blue when placed in contact with
substances that have peroxidase activity and then
are exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Guaiac cards
are impregnated with the resin and are used in
determining whether stool contains blood.
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Lignum Vitae Guaiacum sanctum Guaiacum sanctum
is the national tree of the Bahamas
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Lignum Vitae Guaiacum sanctum the national
tree of the Bahamas
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Lignum Vitae Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands
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Lignum Vitae Guaiacum sanctum the national
tree of the Bahamas Guaiacum sanctum, commonly
known as holywood or holywood lignum-vitae, is a
species of flowering plant native to tropical
America, from Mexico through Central America,
Florida, the Caribbean, and northern South
America. It has been introduced to other tropical
areas of the world. It's currently threatened by
habitat loss in its native region. This tree is
one of two species which yield the valuable
Lignum vitae wood, the other being Guaiacum
officinale.
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Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - national tree
of the Bahamas
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Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum The most used
parts of the Lignum Vitae are the wood, bark, and
resin and they may be used as a tea and bath to
relieve inflammation, and for gout attacks
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Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - the national
tree of the Bahamas
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The wood is hard, heavy and self-lubricating and
has a Janka Hardness Score of 4500, which is one
of the hardest in the world. It can sink when
placed in water. There are fine ripple marks on
the wood.
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Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - national tree
of the Bahamas
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These species are both considered to provide
true lignum vitae wood, and the best way to
tell them apart is the fruit Guaiacum officinale
has heart-shaped fruit containing two
seeds Guaiacum sanctum has lobed fruit containing
3-5 seeds (often 4)
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Guaiacum officinale
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Lignum Vitae Guaiacum officinale
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Guaiacum officinale leaves are usually 4-6
leaflets, and they are broad and
rounded. Guaiacum sanctum leaflets are usually
6-8 per leaf and they are more pointed and
falcate. The twigs are often corky.
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The tree is considered to have medicinal value,
used mostly for home remedies. The naturalist
William Turner noted in 1568 that the plant was
already being grown in India, Tamraparni (ancient
Sri Lanka), Java and the Tivu islets of the
ocean, and whose broth cured several harsh
diseases, including French pox (Syphilis). The
bark can be steeped to create tonics
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Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - national tree
of the Bahamas
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Most people know Guaiacum sanctum simply as
Lignum vitae, but its true recognized common
name is actually Holywood Lignum vitae. 
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Guaiacum plant is extremely ornamental and one of
the most useful in the world
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Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum
Guaiacum officinale
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Due to its historical popularity, in addition to
loss of its native habitat due to development and
deforestation, Lignum Vitae tree is listed as
endangered by The World Conservation Union
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Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - the national
tree of the Bahamas
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The greatest legend about this wood is that
Merlin the Wizard carried a staff and/or wand
made from Lignum Vitae. This legend appears in
both literature and ancient writings about the
legend of Camelot and for sure, it is hardly
surprising
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Duho The Taíno ritual seat is a Pre-Columbian
wooden seat Legends sais this wood has a
profoundly positive energy. The overall energy of
the wood can be summed up as "the power and
strength of goodness."
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Antique Carved Lignum Vitae Bulldog Inkwell,
Circa 1860
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Antique Georgian Wooden Treen Mahogany Lignum
Vitae
Georgian Lignum Vitae Seal
English Antique Lignum Vitae String Holder
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Lignum Vitae crotch piece natural wood sculpture
Lignum vitae pestle and mortar
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Marine Bearings
Jasmine Hand Carved Lignum Vitae
Flowers with Guatemalan Jadeite
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Travel Cane
Melendez Ahuanari Art - Palo Santo - Lignum vitae
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George I Lignum Vitae Desk and Bookcase
Lignum Vitae wood bust by Jamaican sculptor
Kenneth Martin
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Jumbo Wooden Palm Gavel Old Lignum Vitae Black
Palmwood
Coquilla Nut Lignum Vitae Table Nutmeg Grater
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Michele Ferrari (Italian, born 1969) Lignum Vitae
Ceramic
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Jamaica Lignum Vitae is a painting by Beverley
Douglas
Illustration
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Illustration by Ellis Rowan taken from Southern
Wild Flowers and Trees by Alice Lounsberry
Lignum Vitae is a painting by Ashley Kujan
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Text and pictures Internet All  copyrights 
belong to their  respective owners
Presentation Sanda Foisoreanu
.2020
Sound Harry Belafonte - Cu Cu Ru Cu Cu
Paloma - Harry Belafonte Jamaica Farewell
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