Region: south America, Bolivia, Peru.
Habitat: arid slopes and rocks; elevations of 1,000 - 2,000 metres; drier regions of the tropics.
Use: medicinal.
BotanyStocky, evergreen, intricately branched shrub; 2 metres tall.
Stem: wood is excessively hard, compact, yielding Guaiacum, a bitter acrid stimulant gum resin.