Medicinal Quassia (Quassia officinalis)

Bitterwood Surinam quassia Amargo
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey / License

Quassia officinalis - Bitterwood Characteristics and Uses

Renowned for its exceptionally bitter wood, this tropical plant has been valued for centuries in traditional medicine and natural therapies. Native to the Neotropics, it has a long history of use across South and Central America.

Its unique chemical properties have attracted both traditional practitioners and modern pharmacologists. The species remains a key subject in the study of natural compounds and their therapeutic applications.

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 officinalis (Medicinal Quassia)

Living Pulse

Powered by iNaturalist

Morphology

This plant exhibits distinctive morphological traits suited to its tropical forest environment:

  • Growth Habit: A small tree or shrub, growing up to several meters in height.
  • Foliage: Pinnate leaves, often with a winged petiole and bright green leaflets.
  • Flowers: Striking, tubular red flowers arranged in terminal racemes.
  • Fruit: Small, dark drupes that turn black when mature.

Applications

This species is highly valued for its biochemical properties and diverse applications:

  • Medicinal Use: Traditional remedies utilize the bitter wood as a digestive aid, febrifuge, and treatment for intestinal parasites.
  • Natural Pest Control: Extracts from the wood serve as effective organic insecticides against various garden and agricultural pests.
  • Beverage Industry: It is occasionally used as a flavoring agent in bitters and traditional tonics.

Interesting facts

The plant contains quassin, one of the bitterest substances found in nature, which is estimated to be dozens of times bitterer than quinine. Historically, cups made from its wood, known as "bitter cups," were filled with water to create a bitter medicinal tonic overnight.

Geography of distribution

  • Suriname
  • Brazil

Sources

  • POWO (Plants of the World Online)
  • WFO (World Flora Online)
  • GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

Смотрите также

Indian Quassia

Indian Quassia

Quassia indica

An evergreen mangrove and riverbank tree of tropical Asia and Africa, valued for its medicinal …

Read more →