Lignum Vitae

(Guaiacum officinale)

Central/South America

The growth range of the species is limited to the West Indes, Central America, and northern South America.

Lignum Vitae is also referred to as Guayacan, Holly wood, Palo santo, and Ironwood. The name is Latin for "wood of life", and derives from its medicinal use in treating syphilis. The resin has been used to treat a variety of medicinal conditions from coughs to arthritis. Wood chips can also be used to brew a tea.

Lignum vitae is one of the hardest and heaviest woods (three times as hard as oak) and will rapidly sink to the bottom when placed in water. In the past this wood was used to make ball bearings because its extremely high resin content makes it self-lubricating. Another place that Lignum vitae were used was in United States courtrooms, where the judge's gavel was traditionally made from this fine wood.

According to T.H. White's Version of the Artus Saga "The Once and Future King", Lignum vitae has special magical powers as the staff of Merlin is made from it.

Lignum vitae is reddish brown when freshly cut, with pale yellow sapwood. As it oxidizes, the color turns to a deep green, often with black details. The grain is highly interlocked. A similar species, known as Maracaibo lignum vitae (Bulnesia arboria), which grows in Venezuela and northern South America, is similar in properties and appearance and is sometimes substituted for genuine lignum vitae.