Zygophyllaceae (Guaiacum)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Guaiacum (officinale)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Zygophyllaceae

Family Common Name:
Caltrop Family

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Guaiacum

Species:
officinale

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

Jackie Neuburger

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
Lignum vitae

Species Code:
GAUOFF

Ecotype:
St. Thomas

General Distribution:
G. officinale is found in the West Indies from the Greaten Antilles through to Bonaire, and Aruba; also in Panama, Colombia and Venezuela.It is planted as an ornamental from south Florida to Trinidad and elsewhere.

Known Invasiveness:

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:

Grow Time:
0

Target Specifications:

Propagation Collection:
Collect ripe seeds from the tree leaving the red aril in place.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Seeds were planted the same day collected and aril was not removed.

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Plant seeds in germination trays using a light commercial potting soil.
seeds germinate within a month.
Germination Percent: Germination percentages may vary, but rates of at least 50 or 60% can be expected.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:

Establishment Phase:
After germination, seedlings are removed from the tray when they have 4 to 6 leaves and are transplanted into individual containers.
Seedlings are planted in 4 inch pots with a mix of local and commercial soil. Fertilization starts after the plants are producing new leaves and not experiencing transplant shock. Seedlings should be grown in full sun.

Length of Establishment Phase:

Active Growth Phase:
Seedlings are transplanted from the four inch potsin 7 months to 1 gallon containers using the same soil mixture.

Length of Active Growth Phase:

Hardening Phase:

Length of Hardening Phase:

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:
G. officinale is scarce in the wild on St. Thomas. Trees are primarily older plantings in parks and older properties. In St. Croix this tree is spreading from landscape plantings into wild area in the east end.

References:
Little and Wadsworth. 1964. Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Agricultural Handbook no. 249. USDA Forest Service. Washington, D.C. pp54

Citation:
Neuburger, Jackie. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Guaiacum officinale plants Propagacian de plantas St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/07/16). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

Personal tools