FNPS Plant Database

Guaiacum sanctum

lignum-vitae
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Dick Diener
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

lignum-vitae

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Guaiacum sanctum

Family:

Zygophyllaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

8-15 (25) ft 

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

purple

Fruit Color:

orange

Phenology:

Evergreen. Blooms mostly in spring.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant.

Considerations:

Very slow growing--as little as an inch per year after the seedling stage if not fertilized.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

9B,10A,10B,11

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Birds

Larval host plant for lyside sulphur ( Kricogonia lyside ) butterflies. ( IRC  and Hammer)





Attracts bees and butterflies.

 Catbirds and mockingbirds eat the seeds. ( IRC )

Native Habitats:

Rockland hammock.

Natural Range in Florida:

Loading Florida counties…

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Extensive history of human uses, especially for the wood, which is so dense that it sinks in water. Its wood was highly prized for propellers and judges' gavels. Because it's resinous, the wood was also good for ball bearings and hinges--they are self lubricating.

General Comments:

While most of these slow-growing trees were harvested for their wood, one Florida key retained its population because it was privately owned. It's now the Lignum-Vitae State Park, which is accessible only via boat.

Citations:

Chafin, L. G. (2000). Field Guide to the Rare Plants of Florida. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL.


Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+), Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Guaisanc ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.


Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.


Hammer, Roger. (2015). Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.


Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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