lignum vitae

lignum vitae [Lat.,=wood of life], tropical American evergreen tree of the genus Guaiacum. The hard, dense, and extremely durable wood, obtained chiefly from G. officinale and G. sanctum, is used for ship construction, butcher blocks, and other articles requiring strength and hardness. The trees are cultivated to some extent in Florida and California for ornament. They also yield guaiacum, a gum resin used in certain drugs. Various other hardwoods of Australasia (e.g., the acacia and eucalyptus) are also called lignum vitae. Lignum vitae is classified in several orders in the division Magnoliophyta , class Magnoliopsida, order Sapindales, family Zygophyllaceae.

lignum vitae, the hard smooth wood of the guaiacum tree, grown in the West Indies. It had many maritime uses, particularly for the deadeyes and chesstrees of sailing vessels and the sheaves of wooden blocks. It stood up well to the wear caused by ropes, and its smoothness allowed a rope to render through it easily. One principal marine use during the 19th century was as a sea-water self-lubricating bush for the stern tubes of early screw steamships. It was first introduced for this purpose in 1854 by the marine engine builder John Penn, and until the introduction of more modern methods some 40 years later, it solved the problem of leaking stern bearings.

lignum vitae (timber of Guaiacum officinale) See ZYGOPHYLLACEAE.