Guaiacum sanctum, commonly known as Holywood or Lignum vitae, is an evergreen tree native to tropical dry forests and coastal woodlands in Mexico, Central America, Florida, and the Caribbean. It typically grows to about 23 feet in height with a trunk diameter of up to 20 inches. The tree’s dense, dark green foliage provides a stark contrast to its showy purplish-blue flowers, which bloom sporadically throughout the year in its native range. The flowers are followed by distinctive yellow seed pods that contain black seeds. Holywood is notable for its extremely hard and heavy wood, which has a Janka Hardness Score of 4500, making it one of the hardest woods in the world.

Holywood is valued for its ornamental qualities, including its attractive flowers and dense canopy, which make it suitable for use as a shade tree in tropical landscapes. It is also appreciated for its slow growth rate and shade tolerance, allowing it to thrive under the canopy of larger trees. In cultivation, it requires well-drained soil and can tolerate drought once established, but it benefits from regular watering during prolonged dry periods. Due to its hard, self-lubricating wood, it has been historically used for applications requiring durability, such as shipbuilding and making bearings. The resin has been used medicinally. Conservation efforts are important for this species, as it is considered Near Threatened due to habitat loss and over-exploitation.CC BY-SA 4.0