Bitter Quassia
Quassia amara
Quassia amara, commonly known as amargo or bitterwood, is a tropical shrub native to the …
Jamaica Quassia (Quassia excelsa)
Bitterwood
Jamaican bitterwood
Bitter ash
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey
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Quassia excelsa: Botanical Profile, Medicinal Uses, and Characteristics
Known for its exceptionally bitter wood, this tropical forest tree plays a significant role in traditional herbal medicine. It grows primarily in the Caribbean region, reaching impressive heights in humid forest ecosystems. The species has historically been harvested for its active chemical compounds, which find applications in both health remedies and organic agriculture.
Taxonomy
- ∟ царство Plantae
- ∟ division Tracheophytes
- ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
- ∟ Angiosperms
- ∟ mesangiosperms
- ∟ eudicots
- ∟ Superrosids
- ∟ rosids
- ∟ malvids
- ∟ order Sapindales
- ∟ family Simaroubaceae (Quassia family)
- ∟ genus Quassia (Quassia Wood)
- ∟ species Quassia excelsa (Jamaica Quassia)
Morphology
This deciduous tree typically reaches a height of 15 to 25 meters, sporting a smooth, greyish-brown bark. The leaves are pinnately compound, usually consisting of 9 to 13 oblong leaflets that exhibit a glossy green upper surface.
Small, greenish-yellow flowers assemble in loose axillary panicles during the blooming period. These blossoms develop into small, globose black drupes when mature, each containing a single seed.
Applications
The bitter wood contains quassinoids, which are utilized as a bitter tonic to stimulate appetite and improve digestion. In agriculture, water extracts from the wood serve as a natural, biodegradable insecticide targeting soft-bodied garden pests.
Interesting facts
Drinking cups carved from the wood of this tree were once popular in Europe. When water was allowed to sit in the cup for a short period, it became strongly infused with the bitter principles, serving as a ready-to-drink medicinal tonic.
Geography of distribution
- Jamaica
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Puerto Rico
Sources
- Plants of the World Online (POWO)
- World Flora Online (WFO)
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
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