Most people know Guaiacum sanctum simply as ‘Lignum vitae,’ but its true recognized common name is actually ‘Holywood Lignum vitae.’ The basic two-word term Lignum vitae is somewhat misleading, because it applies not only to G. sanctum, but also to other species of Guaiacum. G. officinale is the Roughbark (or Common) Lignum vitae. ‘Lignum vitae’…
Read more
Verawood is a tree with a spreading, rounded growth habit, which creates dense shade under its canopy. Over time the canopy becomes wider than the overall height of the tree which can obtain a height of 20-30 feet. It has shiny dark green pinnately compound leaves composed of 7-14 pairs of leaflets. It produces brilliant yellow…
Read more
An alternative to the more widely planted Cassia javanica (Apple Blossom Shower Tree), C. bakeriana, is smaller in stature, attaining a height of 20-30′, with a 10-15′ canopy spread. However, what it lacks in overall height, it more than makes up for in bloom size and quantity of flowers. Its long arching branches are completely…
Read more
This tree has a straight trunk armed with conical spines, especially when young, and much more sparse with age. It’s a massive tree, attaining a height of 80′ tall and a crown spread of 50′. This tree produces large 6-7″ red or orange cupped flowers (depending on the cultivar), which appear in January-February before any new foliage…
Read more
Many botanists believe this tree is a hybrid between Bauhinia variegata and B. purpurea, and not a true species as its botanical name implies. The tree is sterile, so it does not produce seedpods and seeds. This makes it an ideal Bauhinia, unlike many other Bauhinias which are invasive. An individual tree was discovered in 1880 growing at a monastery in…
Read more
