Palo Santo, whose scientific name is Bursera graveolens, is a tree native to South America, particularly the coastal and dry regions of countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and certain parts of the Amazon. Its name literally means “holy wood” in Spanish, and it has been known for centuries for its spiritual, medicinal, and aromatic uses. Palo Santo mainly grows in dry and semi-arid tropical areas, often at the edges of forests or on rocky terrain. It is closely linked to dry forest ecosystems, and its growth is slow (it often takes 50 years for a tree to reach maturity). The tree’s fruits, often called “drupes,” are small, round, and green when ripe, and they naturally fall to the ground. The seeds then disperse to ensure natural regeneration.
