Hairless Japanese Bitterwood (Picrasma quassioides f. glabrescens)
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
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Picrasma quassioides f. glabrescens: Botanical Overview
Characterized by its smooth, nearly hairless foliage, this botanical form occurs naturally within temperate East Asian woodlands. It maintains the characteristic bitter properties of the species.
The form is highly valued by botanists studying morphological variations in the Simaroubaceae family.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ Superrosids
- ∟ rosids
- ∟ malvids
- ∟ order Sapindales
- ∟ family Simaroubaceae (Quassia family)
- ∟ genus Picrasma (Bitterwood Tree)
- ∟ species Picrasma quassioides (India quassia)
- ∟ form Picrasma quassioides f. glabrescens (Hairless Japanese Bitterwood)
Morphology
This form is distinguished by:
- Glabrescent foliage showing minimal pubescence on the leaf undersides
- Smooth green branchlets that lack the typical fine hairs
- Yellowish flowers that appear in spring
Applications
Key uses and study areas include:
- Phytochemical extraction of quassin and neoquassin
- Taxonomic research on pubescence variation within the genus
- Herbal medicine as a bitter tonic
Interesting facts
Its glabrescent leaves show higher resistance to certain fungal pathogens compared to the hairy forms. The bitter sap acts as an effective deterrent against browsing mammals.
Geography of distribution
- Japan
- Korea
Sources
- Govaerts, R. et al. (2025). Plants of the World Online. Kew Science.
- World Flora Online (WFO).
- GBIF Secretariat (2025).