Guaiacum coulteri Pt. 2

[Silas_Sancona]

Awhile back, after a second trip to research trip/ vacation to Phoenix, id posted a thread regarding some of the more unusual desert-type trees being used in landscapes around town. Among them was a true gem id wanted see in full bloom up close and personal.

Id also wanted to get an idea of what a specimen of the same species id acquired that March would look like once it attained enough size to start flowering. Much to my surprise, I didn't have to wait as long as id thought.

While all the Lignum Vites could be considered a crown jewel within a collection of amazing flowering trees, G.coulteri distinguishes itself from those more commonly encountered in the Caribbean or South Florida by living in a very hot and dry region of the sub tropics among towering tree-like Cacti and numerous other thorny things in the dry tropical forests of southern Sonora. It also produces the darkest colored flowers of the Genus.

While all Guaiacums are considered slow growing, the pictures below, to me at least, demonstrate that perhaps G. coulteri doesn't move along at a Snail's pace.

While temps here so far this March have been more like late April/ early May, I figured I had at least another year before id anticipate seeing buds forming. After a few days eagerly awaiting them to open, it was nice to come home and see the first flowers on this treasure.

For anyone trying to distinguish the differences between the main 3 species, ( G coulteri, sanctum, and officinale) I included some close ups of the foliage of sanctum and officinale for comparison.

G. coulteri growth progression:

Taken 3/17/2013, San Jose, CA. Purchased that weekend at DGB, Phoenix, AZ.

10/04/2014 Bradenton, FL.


First Flowers:

[Silas_Sancona]

One more flower shot:




G. sanctum and officinale foliage for comparison.

Guaiacum sanctum: Also starting to flower atm.

Wider leaves than coulteri also have a point at the end. New foliage starts Purplish.

Flowers smaller than coulteri.

Guaiacum officinale:

Leaves big, wide and somewhat glossy with no point at the end.

New growth green, same with coulteri. Hoping this one also flowers this year.

-Nathan

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Very nice. You don't see officianale much and coulteri never at all.

[Silas_Sancona]

Thanks Jerry, Agree that G. sanctum is the most commonly encountered species here. Found the 3 year old G. officinale specimen for sale online after a couple failed attempts at special ordering that species through local sources.

As for Guaiacum coulteri, after observing my own specimen, as well as a few seedlings I have kept out in the elements, after re-potting last summer, thinking it would be a good fit for wider use here in FL.

Want to try a G. officinale X coulteri cross just to see what happens.

-Nathan

[carmel]

PM me if interested in purchasing Coulteri.