Risk Tool
Palo Santo Bulnesia sarmientoi
Also know as: gaiacwood, bois de gaic, guajakhoz, guajaco, guajakholz, guayacan, palo balsamo, true guaiac, verawood, Argentine lignum vitae, Paraguay lignum vitae, ibiocai, guaiac, gaiacwood, ybyra ocai, jooc, meemong, ticiyuk
Bulnesia sarmientoi is native to Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay, but is now endemic to the Gran Chaco National Park in southeast Bolivia. It is a fairly small tree, growing between 7 and about 20 m high, and is highly valued by locals in the Dry Chaco region of Paraguay for its medicinal properties for skin wounds. It is also popular for its distinct pleasant scent and produces an essential oil that is used in perfumes. The wood has been exported from Paraguay and Argentina for use in lathe work, wood flooring, furniture, handicrafts, smoking pipes, mortars, and axes. Its IUCN Red List status is “lower risk/conservation dependent,” but the species is listed on Appendix II of CITES and thus must be accompanied by appropriate permits in order to be legally traded.
Species Details
B. sarmientoi is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a listing that applies to logs, sawn wood, veneer sheets, plywood, powder and extracts from any country of origin.