Lignum vitae

I was looking up the hardness of various woods and came across it. Just an aside, I had no idea bamboo is around as hard as maple.

very interesting wood...'wood of life'
Janka hardness = 4500
hickory = 1820
bamboo = 1300-1400

doesn't float
very slow growing, decades to grow 10'
endangered of course
can brew a tea with it
resin is medicinal
Pete Seeger's banjo neck is made of it
bearings and electrical insulators can be made of it
Panama Railroad ties are made of it
popular for cricket balls
some old bowling balls are made of it
berries and purple flowers on the tree, birds eat the berries
sold by the lb
the dust is toxic
turns green with age

I want a small amount for a conversation piece.