Lignum Vitae

Guaiacum officinale is a slow-growing tropical tree with a dense crown and blue flowers that fade toward white. Its patterned bark and orange-fruited capsules make it a distinctive specimen for warm, frost-free gardens or a bright protected collection. [Kew's Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:873252-1/general-information) accepts the species and records it across the Caribbean and tropical America. ## Form and flowering In the Cayman Islands flora, Kew describes a small, dense-crowned tree reaching about 8 m (26 ft). The leaves are opposite, and the flowers open blue before paling; mature capsules expose orange arils. Cambridge University Botanic Garden also notes brilliant blue flowers fading to white. Growth is slow, so allow the canopy room to develop and avoid crowding a young tree. ## Siting Provide full sun and moderate water in a warm climate. Singapore's NParks lists full sun and moderate water, while FAO Ecocrop describes tropical growing conditions and tolerance of dry periods once established. Use fertile, freely draining soil and protect the tree from cold weather; it is not a temperate-climate outdoor tree. ## Maintenance Water regularly while roots establish, then adjust irrigation to heat and rainfall rather than keeping the soil saturated. Keep mulch clear of the trunk and prune sparingly to remove damaged or crossing growth. The slow pace of growth rewards patient siting and a light hand with pruning. [Cambridge University Botanic Garden](https://www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/the-garden/plant-list/guaiacum-officinale/) · [NParks](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/9/2945) · [FAO Ecocrop](https://ecocrop.apps.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/dataSheet?id=6558)