Guaiacum SANCTUM

Guaiacum SANCTUM - Holywood, Lignum Vitae, Tree of Life, Holywood Lignum-Vitae, Guaiacwood.

Guaiacum is a genus of slow-growing trees in the Zygophyllaceae family, numbering 4 species distributed in dry regions of the northern coasts of South America (Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala) and the West Indies. It is also cultivated outside its natural range, in India.

The genus is represented by trees from 3 to 15 m (10-49 ft) in height with a trunk diameter within 30-70 cm (12-28 in). Opposite leaves reach 2.5-3 cm (1-1.2 in) in length and 2 cm (0.8 in) in width, consisting of two pairs of leathery leaflets. Pale blue five-petaled flowers are gathered in groups of 6-10 in terminal umbellate inflorescences. The fruit is a bright yellow-orange capsule with black seeds.

Holywood is a slow-growing tree, in adulthood reaching 7 m (23 ft) in height and 50 cm (20 in) in trunk diameter. In its native range, it has no dormant period. It enters fruiting between 30-70 years of life. The leaves are compound, 2.5 cm (1 in) long and 2 cm (0.8 in) wide. In heat, parts of the leaf blade fold to avoid evaporating excess moisture. It blooms with purple five-petaled flowers. Inside the yellow fruit are red pulp and black seeds.

Seeds are pre-scarified (the outer seed coat is carefully nicked with a file or knife) and soaked for 24-48 hours in warm water with the addition of stimulants (SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon), then sown in any mixture based on peat and inert aerators, moistened from a spray bottle, placed in a propagator or covered with plastic wrap, and germinated in light but not in direct sun at a temperature of no lower than 22-25 °C (72-77 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Excessive moisture and drying out of the sowings must be avoided.

Seeds germinate in 4 to 6 weeks. When germinating seeds during the autumn-winter period, it makes sense to use additional artificial lighting. Pricking out of seedlings is carried out 7-10 days after the appearance of the first leaf into pots with a substrate of suitable soil and sand. Drainage is mandatory at the bottom of the pot. After pricking out, sprouts are watered abundantly and placed in a well-lit location.

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Guaiacum is an unpretentious, drought-tolerant tropical plant that grows both in bright sun and in shade. The plant is undemanding regarding soil, and is practically undamaged by diseases and pests.

The tree easily tolerates high temperatures, but does not tolerate sudden shifts. The tree perishes at low temperatures when the thermometer remains at catastrophic levels for prolonged periods.

The crop originates from humid and warm tropics, so the plant needs moderate watering at least once every 14 days and good drainage. Thanks to its slow growth, it is excellently suited for cultivation as a potted plant.

Strangely enough, Lignum Vitae is capable of growing not only on fertile soil, but also on sandy ground and depleted, stony areas. If a prolonged drought occurs, the tree's metabolism slows down. The reason is that the plant is rich in resins, which make the crop quite hardy. Leathery foliage does not open stomata during dry periods, which contributes to survival under adverse conditions.