Life Span
Perennial
Biennial
Origin
Southeastern United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Types
Guaiacum officinale
Yellow Birch, Paper Birch, River Birch
Habitat
Coastal Regions, Dry and Young forest Heaths, Thickets, Woodlands
Hills, Moist Soils
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-15
4-9
Sunset Zone
H1, H2
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Oval or Rounded
Flower Color
Purple, Violet, Blue Violet
Yellow, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Yellow, Red
Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Olive
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Olive
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Leaf Color in Winter
Olive
-
Leaf Shape
Egg-shaped
Pinnate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth Rate
Very Slow
Fast
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Average
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter, Indeterminate
Spring
Tolerances
Drought, Salt
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Requires watering in the growing season
Requires watering in the growing season, Water daily during growing season, Water Deeply, Water more frequently during periods of extreme drought
In Summer
Consistently
Lots of watering
In Spring
Average Water
Moderate
In Winter
Moderate
Average Water
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune to stimulate growth
Remove branches, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove hanging branches
Fertilizers
Fertilize three times a year
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, fertilize twice a year, Nitrogen
Pests and Diseases
fungus, Mealybugs, Scale, Spider mites
Red blotch
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Salt
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Foliage Texture
Fine
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Matte
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
Ants, Aphids, Birds
Allergy
Skin irritation
-
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
-
Beauty Benefits
-
Good for skin
Environmental Uses
Air purification
Air purification, Nesting sites for birds, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Wildlife
Medicinal Uses
-
Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Boils, bowel syndrome, Combats Stress, Diarrhea, Dysentry, Heart problems, Kidney Stones, Osteoarthritis, Skin Disorders, Urinary tract problems
Part of Plant Used
Bark, Sap
Bark, Leaves, Sap
Other Uses
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
Medicinal oil, Used as essential oil
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
GUAIACUM sanctum
BETULA nigra 'Studetec'
Common Name
Holy-wood, Lignum Vitae
Black Birch, River Birch, Tecumseh Compact River Birch
In Hindi
Lignum Vitae
काले बर्च वृक्ष
In German
Lignum Vitae
Schwarze Birke
In French
Lignum Vitae
Noir Bouleau
In Spanish
Palo santo
Negro del árbol de abedul
In Greek
Lignum Vitae
Μαύρο Birch Tree
In Portuguese
pau-santo
Bétula Preto
In Polish
Lignum Vitae
Czarny Brzoza
In Latin
lignum Vitae
Niger Caerulus
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Family
Zygophyllaceae
Betulaceae
Clade
-
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Importance of Lignum Vitae and Black Birch
Want to have the most appropriate plant for your garden? You might want to know the importance of Lignum Vitae and Black Birch. Basically, these two plants vary in many aspects. Compare Lignum Vitae and Black Birch as they differ in many characteristics such as their life, care, benefits, facts, etc. Every gardener must at least have the slightest clue about the plants he wants to plant in his garden. Compare their benefits, which differ in many ways like facts and uses. The medicinal use of Lignum Vitae is whereas of Black Birch is Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Boils, bowel syndrome, Combats Stress, Diarrhea, Dysentry, Heart problems, Kidney Stones, Osteoarthritis, Skin Disorders and Urinary tract problems. Lignum Vitae has beauty benefits as follows: while Black Birch has beauty benefits as follows: .
Compare Facts of Lignum Vitae vs Black Birch
How to choose the best garden plant for your garden depending upon its facts? Here garden plant comparison will help you to solve this query. Compare the facts of Lignum Vitae vs Black Birch and know which one to choose. As garden plants have benefits and other uses, allergy is also a major drawback of plants for some people. Allergic reactions of Lignum Vitae are Skin irritation whereas of Black Birch have respectively. Having a fruit bearing plant in your garden can be a plus point of your garden. Lignum Vitae has showy fruits and Black Birch has no showy fruits. Also Lignum Vitae is not flowering and Black Birch is not flowering . You can compare Lignum Vitae and Black Birch facts and facts of other plants too.