Guaiacum officinale L.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.

  • Family

    Zygophyllaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Guaiacum officinale L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Tree 5-10 m tall; bark dark brown, peeling off in thickened plates. Leaves pinnately compound; leaflets opposite, (1—)2—3 pairs, the distal leaflets larger than the basal ones, 1.5-4.2 x 1-2.6 cm, obovate to oblanceolate, coriaceous, glabrous, the apex obtuse to rounded, the base asymmetrical, obtuse-cuneate, the margins entire; petioles 0.7-2 cm long. Sepals purplish-tinged, oblong, ca. 3.5-4 mm long, finely pubescent on both surfaces; petals 8-9 mm long, pale violet or bluish, oblanceolate, spreading; filaments light violet, ascending; ovary reddish purple, compressed, stipitate, the style whitish. Capsule cordate, flattened, orange, leathery, 1.5-1.7 cm long, apiculate at apex, the valves opening to expose the hanging seeds. Seeds 1 per locule, with a bright red fleshy aril.

  • Discussion

    Common names: lignum vitae, liki wiki, pockenholt

  • Distribution

    An occasional tree of dry coastal forests, sometimes planted in parks and gardens. Cmz Bay (A2906). Also on Anegada, St. Croix, and St. Thomas; throughout the West Indies, Colombia, and Venezuela.

    Saint John Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Venezuela South America| Colombia South America| West Indies| Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint Croix Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Anegada Virgin Islands South America|