THE LIGNUM VITAE
The lignum vitae (Guaiacum officinale) is the national flower of Jamaica. It is a beautiful blue flower and is found mainly in the dry, southern plains as well as in the foothills of the North Coast and South Coast of the island, from sea level to 250m. It is said that Christopher Columbus commented on the beauty of the flower when he first visited the island.
The flower grows on a compact, gnarled tree of about 4-8m in height. Under favourable conditions, the tree can grow to as high as nine metres. The tree has an attractive rounded shape and a dense crown. It is easily identifiable by its beautiful flowers which are usually blue, (but are sometimes white, though rarely), and its orange-yellow, heart-shaped fruit.
The lignum vitae is native to continental tropical America and the Caribbean. In Jamaica, in the parishes of Kingston and St. Andrew, it is scattered in the Liguanea Plain, especially along Marescaux Road in St. Andrew.
The tree flowers early in the year and then, for a few days, it is often surrounded by butterflies of a pale yellow colour, which are newly hatched from the caterpillars that feed on the flowers.
The Versatility of the Tree
The lignum vitae tree is regarded as one of the most useful trees in the world. It was used by the original inhabitants of tropical America, including the Tainos, for medicinal and other purposes. It was esteemed as one of their sacred woods.
The name, lignum vitae, means ‘tree of life’, which indicates how highly the tree was valued by Europeans. It later became known as the ‘wood of life’ because of its medicinal properties. All of the parts of the tree - the body, gum, bark, fruit, leaves, and blossoms - serve useful purposes. The versatility of the tree was much more evident in former times, however, as the trees were more abundant then. Notwithstanding, it continues to be used in Caribbean folk medicine in many ways. There is a gum (gum guaiac) obtained from the resin of the tree which was once highly valuable. The gum was long regarded as a purgative. This gum was also exported to Europe from the early 16th century as a remedy for syphilis, when combined with mercury. Additionally, it has been used as a remedy for gout.
The tree also yields a highly valuable wood. Its wood is utilised for specific purposes, such as for constructing propeller shaft bearings in ships. It is the heaviest type of all woods and will sink in water. Due to its toughness and durability, it is the ideal and most desirable wood for making items such as mortars and pestles, mallets, pulleys, batons carried by policemen, and wassail bowls. The wood is also useful for making furniture, curios, and beautiful carvings.
Not to be left out are the lignum vitae leaves, which earned pride of place in many Jamaican homes years ago. It is interesting to note that the leaves were once used to scrub floors and as a cleaning agent for laundry. Placed in the wash, the lignum vitae leaves generated the same effect as high-powered detergents do today.