1 / 66

Lignum vitae -Tree of life

One of the hardest, densest wood in the world, Lignum Vitae (means u201cwood of life" in Latin) is called the "Tree of Life" as well as "Iron Wood

michaelasanda
Download Presentation

Lignum vitae -Tree of life

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Lignum vitae

  2. One of the hardest, densest wood in the world, Lignum Vitae (means “wood of life" in Latin) is called the "Tree of Life" as well as "Iron Wood"

  3. The lignum vitae (Guiacum Officinale) was found in Jamaica by Christopher Columbus. The short, compact tree is native to continental tropical American and the West Indies. Locally, it grows best in the dry woodland along the north and south coasts of the island. The Latin name Lignum Vitae which means “tree of life” or “wood of life” is very suitable, due to the fact that this flowering, evergreen tree has many medicinal uses

  4. Lignum Vitae – Guaiacum officinale, Jamaica National Flower

  5. Lignum Vitae – Guaiacum officinale, Jamaica National Flower

  6. Lignum Vitae – Guaiacum officinale, Jamaica National Flower

  7. Lignum Vitae is regarded by most to be both the heaviest and hardest wood in the world. When placed in water, the wood will increase in density as it absorbs water; eventually it will become heavier than water, and sink

  8. The wood of the Lignum Vitae tree is very durable for outdoor use, and is also very resistant to insect attack. Its natural oils provide self-lubrication that gives the wood excellent wear resistance. However, due to its extremely high density, it is known to dull cutters, and is considered quite difficult to work with. Also, because of its high oil content and density, it’s very difficult to get a strong and reliable glue joint. Lignum Vitae is used for making tool handles, mallet heads, bearings, bushings, pulley wheels, gigs, and turned objects.

  9. The Lignum Vitae tree has been exploited (for both its wood and resin extracts) to the brink of extinction, and is now listed as an endangered species

  10. The Lignum Vitae is a very slow growing tree, reaching heights of up to 30 – 40ft (9m – 12m). The tree is drought-tolerant with average water needs, and thrives in full sun. The flowers which are light blue or medium-blue in colour are attractive to butterflies; and its wood has a mild, perfume-like fragrance.

  11. The tree is the source of a very hard and heavy wood that is brownish green in colour.  The wood is relatively waterproof because of its high fat content

  12. The resin, called guaiacum, is obtained from the wood by distillation; it is used to treat respiratory disorders

  13. Some Lignum Vitae trees have lived as long as 1000 years A Liguus Tree Snail (Liguus fasciatus) chilling on a Lignum vitae tree (Guaiacum officinale) at Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, Islamorada, Florida

  14. A guaiacwood tree, grown by Princess Sirindhorn at the Ratchaburi National Museum, Thailand

  15. The plant is extremely ornamental, producing an attractive blue flower and orange-yellow fruit. A gum obtained from its resin was once regarded as a purgative, which was exported to Europe from the early sixteenth century as a remedy (combined with mercury) for syphilis and has also been used as a remedy for gout. The body, bark, fruit, leaves and blossom are also useful. The wood was once used as propeller shaft bearings in nearly all the ships sailing the ‘Seven Seas.’

  16. According to this University of Florida article by horticulturist Stephen Brown, it is the only wood with a specific gravity of 1.09, enabling it to sink in salt water. It also resists rot caused by insects and moisture. Because of its toughness, the wood is also used for items such as mortars, mallets, pulleys and batons carried by policemen. Sometimes it is used for furniture and carvings

  17. Lignum Vitae has a distinct, perfume-like fragrance that lingers even after it has been machined.

  18. Guaiacum officinale Oahu, Ala Moana Beach Park

  19. Guaiacum officinale is one of two species yielding the true lignum vitae, the other being Guaiacum sanctum Guaiac, a natural resin extracted from the wood, is a colorless compound that turns blue when placed in contact with substances that have peroxidase activity and then are exposed to hydrogen peroxide. Guaiac cards are impregnated with the resin and are used in determining whether stool contains blood.

  20. Lignum Vitae – Guaiacum sanctum Guaiacum sanctum is the national tree of the Bahamas

  21. Lignum Vitae – Guaiacum sanctum – the national tree of the Bahamas

  22. Lignum Vitae Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

  23. Lignum Vitae – Guaiacum sanctum – the national tree of the Bahamas Guaiacum sanctum, commonly known as holywood or holywood lignum-vitae, is a species of flowering plant native to tropical America, from Mexico through Central America, Florida, the Caribbean, and northern South America. It has been introduced to other tropical areas of the world. It's currently threatened by habitat loss in its native region. This tree is one of two species which yield the valuable Lignum vitae wood, the other being Guaiacum officinale.

  24. Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - national tree of the Bahamas

  25. Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum The most used parts of the Lignum Vitae are the wood, bark, and resin; and they may be used as a tea and bath to relieve inflammation, and for gout attacks

  26. Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - the national tree of the Bahamas

  27. The wood is hard, heavy and self-lubricating and has a Janka Hardness Score of 4500, which is one of the hardest in the world. It can sink when placed in water. There are fine ripple marks on the wood.

  28. Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - national tree of the Bahamas

  29. These species are both considered to provide ”true” lignum vitae wood, and the best way to tell them apart is the fruit Guaiacum officinale has heart-shaped fruit containing two seeds Guaiacum sanctum has lobed fruit containing 3-5 seeds (often 4)

  30. Guaiacum officinale

  31. Lignum Vitae Guaiacum officinale

  32. Guaiacum officinale leaves are usually 4-6 leaflets, and they are broad and rounded. Guaiacum sanctum leaflets are usually 6-8 per leaf and they are more pointed and falcate. The twigs are often “corky”.

  33. The tree is considered to have medicinal value, used mostly for home remedies. The naturalist William Turner noted in 1568 that the plant was already being grown in India, Tamraparni (ancient Sri Lanka), Java and the Tivu islets of the ocean, and whose broth cured several harsh diseases, including French pox (Syphilis). The bark can be steeped to create tonics

  34. Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - national tree of the Bahamas

  35. Most people know Guaiacum sanctum simply as ‘Lignum vitae,’ but its true recognized common name is actually ‘Holywood Lignum vitae.’ 

  36. Guaiacum plant is extremely ornamental and one of the most useful in the world

  37. Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum Guaiacum officinale

  38. Due to its historical popularity, in addition to loss of its native habitat due to development and deforestation, Lignum Vitae tree is listed as endangered by The World Conservation Union

  39. Lignum Vitae - Guaiacum sanctum - the national tree of the Bahamas

  40. The greatest legend about this wood is that Merlin the Wizard carried a staff and/or wand made from Lignum Vitae. This legend appears in both literature and ancient writings about the legend of Camelot and for sure, it is hardly surprising

More Related