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Native Plant Database

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Guajacum angustifolium (Texas lignum-vitae)
Bransford, W.D. and Dolphia

Guajacum angustifolium Engelm.

Texas lignum-vitae, Guayacan, Soapbush

Zygophyllaceae (Creosote-Bush Family)

USDA Symbol: GUAN

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A leafy, compact evergreen, guayacan rarely grows higher than 6 feet, though under favorable conditions it may grow twice that high. It is often darker than surrounding shrubs, due to the stems being covered with dark green leaves. Leaves are pinnately compound, with 4–8 pairs of small, leathery leaflets. Flowers, which have 5 petals, are violet to purple, 1 inch across, with prominent yellow anthers. The blossom is followed by small, heart-shaped pods that burst open at maturity, exposing 2 scarlet-red, shiny seeds.

The bark of the roots is sometimes used as soap for washing woolen goods, as it does not fade colors. Guayacan is also a good honeybee plant. It does best at elevations below 4,000 feet.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Tree
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Pinnate
Size Notes: 3-6
Flower: Flower 1 inch
Fruit: Orange, 1 inch across
Size Class: 3-6 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Purple , Violet
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep

Distribution

USA: TX
Native Distribution: Chaparral & brush country, Prairie/Plains/Meadows/Pastures/Savannahs
Native Habitat: Chaparral & brush country, Prairie, Plains, Meadows, Pastures, Savannahs
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Limestone-based, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay, Caliche type

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Showy, Attractive, Blooms ornamental, Grows in clumps, Aromatic, Long-living, Fruits ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-bees, Nectar-insects, Nesting site, Browse, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Gray hairstreak butterfly, Lyside hairstreak butterfly.

Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA)

Guajacum angustifolium is a larval host and/or nectar source for:
Gray Hairstreak
(Strymon melinus)

Larval Host
Learn more at BAMONA

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX
National Butterfly Center - Mission, TX

Wildflower Center Seed Bank

LBJWC-MLE-12 Collected 2009-11-13 in Terrell County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Bibref 248 - Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Guajacum angustifolium in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Guajacum angustifolium in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Guajacum angustifolium

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-09-29
Research By: TWC Staff

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