The Jamaica National Flower
- From the "Wood of Life"

Source (JIS)

The Lignum Vitae, the Jamaica National Flower, was found here by Christopher Columbus. Its' name, when translated from Latin, means “wood of life” – probably adopted because of its medicinal qualities.

The short, compact tree is native to continental tropical American and the West Indies. In Jamaica it grows best in the dry woodland along the north and south coasts of the Jamaica.

The plant is extremely ornamental, producing an attractive blue flower and orange-yellow fruit, while its crown has an attractive rounded shape. Its small purple blossom is what we label as Jamaica's national flower!

The tree is one of the most useful in the world. The body, gum, bark, fruit, leaves and blossom all serve some useful purpose. In fact, the tree has been regarded for its medicinal properties. The leaf of the plant is used for rubbing on cuts and insect bites by many people particulary those in the St. Elizabeth are of Jamaica.

A gum (gum guaiac) obtained from its resin was once regarded as a purgative. It was exported to Europe from the early sixteenth century as a remedy (combined with mercury) for syphilis and has also been used as a remedy for gout. The wood was once used as propeller shaft bearings in nearly all the ships sailing the ‘Seven Seas’.

Because of this, Lignum Vitae and Jamaica are closely associated in shipyards worldwide. It is a very heavy wood which will sink in water. Because of its toughness it is used for items such as mortars, mallets, pulleys and batons carried by policemen. It is also used for furniture.

It is said that The lignum vitae is found in very few other locations around the world because they survive only in dry, arid climates.
Read more interesting facts on Jamaica on my 'Interesting Facts on Jamaica Page

You can also get an overview of the plants in Jamaica on my 'Plants in Jamaica' page.

By the way, you may also find these informative pages about Jamaica useful as well:

• The National Symbols of Jamaica
• The National Anthem of Jamaica
• The History of Jamaica
• Christmas in Jamaica

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