3 ms·
Sadly it is an endangered species so it is illegal to trade now, I understand the best way to get it is to buy antique crown-green bowls and cut them up.
by jstanley 3y ago
Sadly it is an endangered species so it is illegal to trade now, I understand the best way to get it is to buy antique crown-green bowls and cut them up.
- hilbert42 3y agoAlso, lignum vitae used to make good bearings, not only is it hard-wearing, 'waterproof' and rot proof when compared to most other woods but also it's self-lubricating. It's a wonderful and useful timber, it's a damn shame it's been necessary to add it to the CITES Treaty (as it's such a slow grower).
- JKCalhoun 3y agoDidn't know Crown Green Bowls was a game — and I assume it's the balls that are made from Lignum Vitae. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_green_bowls https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crown_green_bowls
- jstanley 3y agoYes, the balls are (historically) lignum vitae. I don't know why they're called bowls instead of balls.
- mauvehaus 3y agoLike many quirks in English, we can blame the French: https://www.etymonline.com/word/bowls#etymonline_v_32538 https://www.etymonline.com/word/bowls#etymonline_v_32538 Boule is the modern French name for a likely similar game (I don't play either). And of course the Italians have bocce.