Guaiacum uses, including as lumber, for medicinal purposes, and as ornamentals. The trade of all species of "Guaiacum" is controlled under CITES Appendix II. "Guaiacum officinale" is the national flower of Jamaica, while "Guaiacum sanctum" is the national tree of the Bahamas. The genus is famous as the supplier of lignum vitae, which is the heartwood of several species in the genus. It is the fourth-hardest variety of wood as measured by the Janka hardness test, requiring a force of to embed a steel ball in diameter half that distance into the wood. The Spanish encountered guaiacum wood when they conquered
Les Janka Les Janka Leslie A. Janka is President-Saudi Arabia for Quincy International LLC, resident in Riyadh Saudi Arabia.. He has more than 25 years experience as an international affairs specialist in the U.S. Government, business consulting and academic institutions. Prior to joining Quincy International, Janka was President of Raytheon Arabian Systems Company in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prior to managing his independent consulting firm, Les Janka International from 1995 to 2007, he directed the international practice of the energy utility and telecommunications specialty consulting unit of Arthur Andersen, LLP. Janka is a frequent writer and lecturer on the Washington political scene, specializing