Description

Guaiac is a very hard brown wood, called “Holy Wood” or “Wood of Life.” It is a small tree with thin branches and opposite paripinnate leaves. It has two or three pairs of oblique, leathery leaflets, measuring 1 to 5 cm. It also has fasciculated flowers with five blue petals, 12 to 15 mm long. Its fruit measures 2 cm and is leathery and orange.

A very dense wood with a fine, almost oily texture, Guaiac wood quickly became highly prized by cabinetmakers. It has also been used medicinally for over five centuries, hence its name, the tree of life (lignum vitae). In decoction, it was used to treat tuberculosis and syphilis. The sawdust was burned to treat venereal diseases, and an essential oil called guaiacol was extracted from it.

Habitat

This tree is found in the tropical regions of the Americas, particularly in the Antilles and Venezuela, and is endangered. It is found more specifically in dry forests on volcanic soil.

Threat factor

Overexploited for its wood and medicine, the guaiac tree has become rare. Its distribution is very limited and the number of trees is extremely small. It is now protected in the west-indies.