Lignumvitae
Guaiacum sanctum
Lignumvitae, which means ‘Tree of Life’, is an extremely slow-growing broadleaf evergreen which ultimately reaches 30 to 40 feet in height and casts light shade, but few people have seen plants of this size because it is not grown in the trade. Most are seen 8 to 12 feet tall with a beautiful array of multiple trunks and a rounded canopy much like that of a mature Crape-Myrtle. The one to two-inch-long, leathery, dark green leaves are joined at many times throughout the year by the production of large clusters of deep blue flowers. These flowers are followed by small, heart-shaped, yellow berries, appearing on the tree at the same time as the blue flowers.
Underneath the smooth, beige/grey bark of Lignumvitae is some of the heaviest of all wood, sinking under its weight instead of floating in water. This dense wood was once popular for use in the manufacture of bowling balls and has also been used for propeller shafts on steamships, gears and for mallets. The picturesque crooked, typically multiple trunk, evergreen leaves, and beautiful flowers, and fruit would all combine to make Lignumvitae a popular choice for use as a container, patio, or specimen planting.
Since the lignumvitae grows so slow it is rarely available at nurseries and the ones that are extremely expensive.
Height: 8 to 12 feet
Spread: 8 to 12 feet
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: high
Gene Dempsey, City Forester
Environmental Services
Office - (954) 828-5785 Fax - (954) 828-4745
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