Large-leaved Quassia (Quassia grandifolia)

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Quassia grandifolia: Large-Leaved Bitterwood of Tropical Africa

Featuring remarkably large foliage, Quassia grandifolia is a notable forest tree species native to the tropical regions of West and Central Africa.

It was first described by the German botanist Adolf Engler and later placed in the genus Quassia by Hans Peter Nooteboom in 1963.

This species is widely distributed across the Guineo-Congolian rainforest region, thriving in moist, lowland evergreen forests.

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 grandifolia (Large-leaved Quassia)

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Morphology

Quassia grandifolia is distinguished by its large, pinnately compound leaves that can reach significant lengths. The leaflets are oblong to elliptic, leathery, and possess prominent venation on their undersides.

The flowers are arranged in large, conspicuous panicles and exhibit a greenish or reddish hue. The wood, bark, and seeds are intensely bitter due to a high concentration of active quassinoids.

Applications

In traditional African medicine, extracts from the bark of Quassia grandifolia are used to treat malaria and digestive disorders. The bitter decoctions are highly valued for their medicinal efficacy across its native range.

The wood is also locally used for light construction and carvings, as its natural bitterness makes it highly resistant to termites.

Interesting facts

The species name grandifolia translates from Latin as "large-leaved," highlighting the impressive size of its foliage compared to other members of the genus.

Its wide distribution across multiple African nations makes it an important ecological component of the Congo Basin.

Geography of distribution

  • Nigeria
  • Cameroon
  • Gabon
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Angola
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Togo

Sources

  • POWO (2026): Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  • WFO (2026): World Flora Online.
  • IPNI (2026): International Plant Names Index.

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

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