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The listing is for a package of 50 seeds, Perfect for bonsai or house plant, exotic hard wood
Guaiacum sanctum, commonly known as Holywood or Holywood Lignum-vitae, is a species of flowering plant in the creosote bush family, Zygophyllaceae. It ranges from southern Florida in the United States and the Bahamas south to Central America and the Greater Antilles. It is threatened by habitat loss. This tree is one of two species which yield the valuable Lignum vitae wood, the other being Guaiacum officinale. This small tree is slow growing, reaching about 7 m (23 ft) in height with a trunk diameter of 50 cm (20 in). The tree is essentially evergreen throughout most of its native range. The leaves are compound, 2.5–3 cm (0.98–1.2 in) in length, and 2 cm (0.79 in) wide. The purplish blue flowers have five petals each, and yield yellow pods containing black seeds encapsulated separately in a red skin. Guaiacum sanctum is the national tree of the Bahamas. Holywood lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum) is a stunning tree which produces beautiful blue flowers, either solitarily or in clusters. These flowers have five petals and usually measure just over a centimetre across. The leaves of the holywood lignum vitae comprise of three to five pairs of dark green leaflets, which measure about three centimetres in length and have a small point at the tip. During the hottest part of the day, the leaflet pairs may sometimes fold together. The fruits of this species have four or five lobes and are bright orange-yellow when mature. They open to expose red, fleshy arils (seed coverings) which contain the hard, black, rounded seeds. The seeds of the holywood lignum vitae measure about one centimetre in length. The holywood lignum vitae generally grows as a relatively low tree with a gnarled truck and a spreading, rounded crown of drooping branches. Its wood is notable for its unique greenish-brown colour. The wood is strong and dense, and sinks when placed in water.
As a broadleaf evergreen tree, the holywood lignum vitae is conspicuous in the dry season, when most of the other surrounding plants are leafless. It produces many blue flowers throughout the year, but more frequently in the warmer months between March and August. The fruits of the holywood lignum vitae are produced simultaneously with or subsequently to these flowers. During the fruiting period the tree may bare fruit continuously for up to six weeks. The holywood lignum vitae may play an important role in the forest ecosystem, providing vital resources and niches for many other species. As well as providing cover for several species of bird, its seeds also provide a food source to many species. These birds either consume the seeds themselves or transport them for consumption by nestlings or fledglings. The holywood lignum vitae has a very slow growth rate and it has been known to live for up to 1,000 years. ‘Lignum vitae’ is Latin for ‘wood of life’, which was derived from the fact that the holywood lignum vitae has long been known for its medicinal uses. It produces a gum or resin that acts as a stimulant and induces sweating. It has been known to relieve gout, chronic rheumatism, and is used in blood-purifying compounds and as an anti-inflammatory. In Jamaica, it is even soaked in rum and used as a gargle for sore throats. The wood of the holywood lignum vitae is also highly sought after for its desirable qualities of strength, toughness and density. The wood is largely used as a building material for, producing structures such as ship propeller shafts, mallets, caster wheels and stencil and chisel blocks Tthe seeds were took this season, We have a lot of extremely rare plants if you want something rare let me know and I will listing for you. Questions? feel free to email me. |