Guaiacum angustifolium is a species of flowering plant in the caltrop family, Zygophyllaceae. Common names include Texas guaiacum, Texas lignum-vitae, soapbush and huayacán. It is native to southern and western Texas[4] in the United States and northern Mexico.[3] The specific name is derived from the Latinangustus, meaning "narrow," and -folius, meaning "-leaved".[5]
Texas lignum-vitae is a many branched shrub or small tree, reaching a height of 7 m (23 ft).[7] This evergreen has a dense canopy and short lateral branches.[8]
Leavesedit
Leaves are 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) long, opposite and pinnately compound, with four to eight pairs of leaflets. The dark green, leathery, linear to linear-spatulate leaflets are 5–16 mm (0.20–0.63 in) long and 2–3 mm (0.079–0.118 in) wide. Leaflets fold themselves at night and when exposed to hot sunlight.
Flowersedit
The small blue to purple flowers are 12–22 mm (0.47–0.87 in) in diameter. They have five sepals, five petals around 1 cm (0.39 in) in length, and ten stamens.[9] The blooming period lasts from March until September,[10] with flowers appearing after rain.[11]
Fruitedit
The fruit is a flat, leathery capsule 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) in diameter with one to two lobes, sometimes as many as four. Dehiscentlocules contain a single shiny, bean-like seed that is usually bright red.[9]
Usesedit
Like other species in its genus, the wood of G. angustifolium has extreme hardness and density and will sink in water. The sapwood is creamy yellow, while the heartwood is dark purple-brown.[12] The wood is used for fence posts, tool handles, and firewood. Root extracts are used to treat rheumatism and sexually transmitted diseases.[8]Soap can be made from the root bark, as it contains saponin; historically soap made in this way would be used to wash wool, since it does not fade the dyed-colors.[13][14] The bark of the roots is also used as a disinfectant.[14] The flowers are valued by beekeepers for their consistent nectar production.[15] Texas lignum-vitae is cultivated as an ornamental because of its drought tolerance, dense foliage, compact size, gnarled branches, and fragrant flowers.[10] It is used in hedges, rock gardens, and xeriscaping.[8]
Like other members of its genus, the international trade of Texas lignum-vitae is restricted by CITESAppendix II. Only seeds, pollen, and finished products ready for retail sale may be legally exported.[18]
Referencesedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guaiacum angustifolium.
Wikispecies has information related to Guaiacum angustifolium.
^Carrero, C. (2022). "Porlieria angustifolia". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T153757939A153835036. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T153757939A153835036.en. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
^Eggli, Urs; Leonard E. Newton (2004). Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names. Birkhäuser. p. 11. ISBN978-3-540-00489-9.
^Sargent, Charles S. (1884). Report on the Forests of North America. United States Department of the Interior. p. 29.
^Richardson, Alfred (1995). Plants of the Rio Grande Delta. University of Texas Press. p. 123. ISBN978-0-292-77070-6.
^ abc. Native Plants of South Texas. Texas AgriLife Research and Extension at Uvalde. Archived from the original on 2010-07-14. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
^ abPowell, A. Michael (1998). Trees and Shrubs of the Trans-Pecos and Adjacent Areas. University of Texas Press. pp. 203–204. ISBN978-0-292-75147-7.
^ abMielke, Judy (1993). Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes. University of Texas Press. p. 158. ISBN978-0-292-75147-7.
^. VTreeID. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Archived from the original on 2010-08-08. Retrieved 2010-10-04.
^"Guayacán Guaiacum angustifolium Engelm". Ethnobotany of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands. Texas Beyond History. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
^Irish, Mary (2008). Trees and Shrubs for the Southwest: Woody Plants for Arid Gardens. Timber Press. pp. 205–206. ISBN978-0-88192-905-8.
^ abStandley, Paul C.; Blake, S. F. (1923). "Trees and Shrubs of Mexico (Oxalidaceae-Turneraceae)". Contributions from the United States National Herbarium. 23 (3). Washington, D.C.: Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution: 522. JSTOR 23492504.
^Pellett, Frank Chapman (1920). American Honey Plants. American Bee Journal. p. 237.
^. Butterflies and Moths of North America. Archived from the original on 2010-06-20. Retrieved 2009-11-28.
^. Native Plant List. Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2010-08-20.
"Guaiacum angustifolium" (PDF). Digital Representations of Tree Species Range Maps from "Atlas of United States Trees" by Elbert L. Little, Jr. (and other publications). United States Geological Survey.
"Guajacum angustifolium Engelm. Texas lignum-vitae, Guayacan, Soapbush". Native Plant Information Network. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
April 26, 2024
guaiacum, angustifolium, species, flowering, plant, caltrop, family, zygophyllaceae, common, names, include, texas, guaiacum, texas, lignum, vitae, soapbush, huayacán, native, southern, western, texas, united, states, northern, mexico, specific, name, derived,. Guaiacum angustifolium is a species of flowering plant in the caltrop family Zygophyllaceae Common names include Texas guaiacum Texas lignum vitae soapbush and huayacan It is native to southern and western Texas 4 in the United States and northern Mexico 3 The specific name is derived from the Latin angustus meaning narrow and folius meaning leaved 5 Guaiacum angustifolium Conservation status Least Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Secure NatureServe 2 Scientific classification Kingdom Plantae Clade Tracheophytes Clade Angiosperms Clade Eudicots Clade Rosids Order Zygophyllales Family Zygophyllaceae Genus Guaiacum Species G angustifolium Binomial name Guaiacum angustifoliumEngelm Natural range Synonyms Porlieria angustifolia Engelm A Gray 3 Contents 1 Distribution 2 Description 2 1 Leaves 2 2 Flowers 2 3 Fruit 3 Uses 4 Ecology 5 Conservation 6 References 7 External linksDistribution editIn Texas this tree can be found in the area around the Rio Grande including Austin Matagorda Bay New Braunfels San Antonio Brownsville and Fort McIntosh westward to the Rio Pecos In the 19th century trees growing along the outskirts of this region were so small they were described by the United States Department of Interior as low shrub s The largest examples could be found on the hillsides near the Guadalupe River valley 6 In Mexico the plant is found in the states of Chihuahua San Luis Potosi Coahuila Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas Description editTexas lignum vitae is a many branched shrub or small tree reaching a height of 7 m 23 ft 7 This evergreen has a dense canopy and short lateral branches 8 Leaves edit Leaves are 1 3 cm 0 39 1 18 in long opposite and pinnately compound with four to eight pairs of leaflets The dark green leathery linear to linear spatulate leaflets are 5 16 mm 0 20 0 63 in long and 2 3 mm 0 079 0 118 in wide Leaflets fold themselves at night and when exposed to hot sunlight Flowers edit The small blue to purple flowers are 12 22 mm 0 47 0 87 in in diameter They have five sepals five petals around 1 cm 0 39 in in length and ten stamens 9 The blooming period lasts from March until September 10 with flowers appearing after rain 11 Fruit edit The fruit is a flat leathery capsule 1 2 cm 0 39 0 79 in in diameter with one to two lobes sometimes as many as four Dehiscent locules contain a single shiny bean like seed that is usually bright red 9 Uses editLike other species in its genus the wood of G angustifolium has extreme hardness and density and will sink in water The sapwood is creamy yellow while the heartwood is dark purple brown 12 The wood is used for fence posts tool handles and firewood Root extracts are used to treat rheumatism and sexually transmitted diseases 8 Soap can be made from the root bark as it contains saponin historically soap made in this way would be used to wash wool since it does not fade the dyed colors 13 14 The bark of the roots is also used as a disinfectant 14 The flowers are valued by beekeepers for their consistent nectar production 15 Texas lignum vitae is cultivated as an ornamental because of its drought tolerance dense foliage compact size gnarled branches and fragrant flowers 10 It is used in hedges rock gardens and xeriscaping 8 Ecology editGuaiacum angustifolium is a host plant for the caterpillars of the lyside sulphur Kricogonia lyside 16 The leaves contain 16 18 crude protein and are browsed by white tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus 17 Conservation editLike other members of its genus the international trade of Texas lignum vitae is restricted by CITES Appendix II Only seeds pollen and finished products ready for retail sale may be legally exported 18 References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Guaiacum angustifolium nbsp Wikispecies has information related to Guaiacum angustifolium Carrero C 2022 Porlieria angustifolia IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022 e T153757939A153835036 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2022 1 RLTS T153757939A153835036 en Retrieved 22 March 2023 Guaiacum angustifolium Engelm Texas Guaiacum NatureServe Explorer NatureServe Retrieved 2009 11 28 a b Guaiacum angustifolium Germplasm Resources Information Network Agricultural Research Service United States Department of Agriculture Retrieved 2009 11 28 Guayacan Guajacum Soapbush Texas Porlieria Texas Native Plants Database Texas A amp M University Retrieved 2009 01 29 Eggli Urs Leonard E Newton 2004 Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names Birkhauser p 11 ISBN 978 3 540 00489 9 Sargent Charles S 1884 Report on the Forests of North America United States Department of the Interior p 29 Richardson Alfred 1995 Plants of the Rio Grande Delta University of Texas Press p 123 ISBN 978 0 292 77070 6 a b c Guayacan Soap bush Guaiacum angustifolium Engelm Native Plants of South Texas Texas AgriLife Research and Extension at Uvalde Archived from the original on 2010 07 14 Retrieved 2009 12 07 a b Powell A Michael 1998 Trees and Shrubs of the Trans Pecos and Adjacent Areas University of Texas Press pp 203 204 ISBN 978 0 292 75147 7 a b Mielke Judy 1993 Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes University of Texas Press p 158 ISBN 978 0 292 75147 7 soapbush Zygophyllaceae Guaiacum angustifolium Engelm VTreeID Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Archived from the original on 2010 08 08 Retrieved 2010 10 04 Guayacan Guaiacum angustifolium Engelm Ethnobotany of the Lower Pecos Canyonlands Texas Beyond History Retrieved 2009 12 07 Irish Mary 2008 Trees and Shrubs for the Southwest Woody Plants for Arid Gardens Timber Press pp 205 206 ISBN 978 0 88192 905 8 a b Standley Paul C Blake S F 1923 Trees and Shrubs of Mexico Oxalidaceae Turneraceae Contributions from the United States National Herbarium 23 3 Washington D C Department of Botany Smithsonian Institution 522 JSTOR 23492504 Pellett Frank Chapman 1920 American Honey Plants American Bee Journal p 237 Lyside Sulphur Kricogonia lyside Godart 1819 Butterflies and Moths of North America Archived from the original on 2010 06 20 Retrieved 2009 11 28 Guayacan Guajacum angustifolium Native Plant List Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Archived from the original on 2011 07 20 Retrieved 2010 08 20 Guaiacum angustifolia Engelm UNEP WCMC Species Database CITES Listed Species CITES Retrieved 2010 10 04 External links edit Guaiacum angustifolium PDF Digital Representations of Tree Species Range Maps from Atlas of United States Trees by Elbert L Little Jr and other publications United States Geological Survey Guajacum angustifolium Engelm Texas lignum vitae Guayacan Soapbush Native Plant Information Network Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Guaiacum angustifolium amp oldid 1191428562, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
