Guaiacum officinale

This slow-growing evergreen tree, commonly known as lignum vitae, is native to the Caribbean islands and the northern coast of South America. It has a dense, rounded crown, smooth mottled bark that flakes in thin scales, and compound leaves with two to three pairs of thick, glossy, rounded leaflets. It bears profuse five-petaled flowers in shades of blue to purple that fade paler with age, followed by yellow-orange capsules that split open to reveal black seeds covered in red arils. It requires full sun and tolerates drought and salt. Its exceptionally dense wood and resin have been traded for centuries, and all Guaiacum species are listed on CITES Appendix II.

Weight: 0.6 oz.