The Jamaica National Flower
The Lignum Vitae, the Jamaica National Flower, was found in Jamaica 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 particularly those in the St. Elizabeth area 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.