<P> "Lignum vitae" is Latin for "wood of life", and derives its name from its medicinal uses; lignum vitae resin has been used to treat a variety of medical conditions from coughs to arthritis, and chips of the wood can also be used to brew a tea . </P> <P> Other names for lignum vitae include palo santo (Spanish for "holy wood") and "bastard greenheart" (not to be confused with true Greenheart Chlorocardium rodiei, a popular wood in shipbuilding, cabinetry, and woodturning but a completely different timber); lignum vitae is also one of the numerous hard, dense woods loosely referred to as ironwood . </P> <P> Lignum vitae is hard and durable, and is also the densest wood traded (density: 1.23 g / cm); it will easily sink in water . On the Janka Scale of Hardness, which measures hardness of woods, lignum vitae ranks highest of the trade woods, with a Janka hardness of 4500 lbf (compared with African Blackwood at 2940 lbf, Hickory at 1820 lbf, red oak at 1290 lbf, Yellow Pine at 690 lbf, and Balsa at 100 lbf). </P> <P> Various other hardwoods may also be called lignum vitae and should not be confused with it . The best - known come from Bulnesia arborea and Bulnesia sarmientoi (in the same subfamily as Guaiacum) and are known as Verawood or Argentine lignum vitae; they are somewhat similar in appearance and working qualities as genuine lignum vitae . Some hardwoods from Australasia (e.g., Vitex lignum - vitae and some species of Acacia and Eucalyptus) are also referred to as lignum vitae . </P>

What type of wood will sink in water