Obovate-leaved Quassia (Quassia obovata)

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Quassia obovata: Amazonian Bitterwood Species Overview

First collected in the Amazon basin by the English botanist Richard Spruce, Quassia obovata is a distinct tropical woody species.

It belongs to the bitterwood family, Simaroubaceae, and was formally reclassified by Hans Peter Nooteboom in 1963.

This plant thrives in the humid lowland forests of South America, growing as a shrub or small tree in primary rainforests.

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 obovata (Obovate-leaved Quassia)

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Morphology

Quassia obovata is named for its obovate leaflets, which are broader near the apex than at the base. These leaves are arranged alternately along the woody branches and have a glossy, deep green appearance.

The flowers are typically small, cluster-forming, and possess a greenish or yellowish-white coloration. The entire structure of the plant is infused with bitter quassinoids that deter herbivores.

Applications

Local indigenous communities in the Amazon basin have traditionally used decoctions of the bark and roots of Quassia obovata to treat fevers. The bitter compounds act as a natural digestive tonic and anti-parasitic agent.

In modern biochemical research, the plant is studied for its unique quassinoid profile, which may offer compounds for drug development.

Interesting facts

The specific epithet obovata refers directly to the characteristic tear-shaped leaves of this species.

The original collections by Richard Spruce in the 19th century remain crucial references for understanding the flora of the Amazon basin.

Geography of distribution

  • Brazil
  • Venezuela
  • Colombia
  • Peru

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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