Guaiacum (officinale)
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Jackie Neuburger Propagacian de plantas 7945 Estate Dorothea 3-C St. Thomas, Virgin Islands 00802 340-774-1136 www.newmoonnursery.com |
| Family Scientific Name: | Zygophyllaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Caltrop Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Guaiacum officinale | ||
| 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. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 0 | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Collect ripe seeds from the tree leaving the red aril in place. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | Seeds were planted the same day collected and aril was not removed. | ||
| Pre-Planting 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Active Growth Phase: | Seedlings are transplanted from the four inch potsin 7 months to 1 gallon containers using the same soil mixture. | ||
| 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 2024/07/03). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
