Pará Quassia (Quassia paraensis)

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Quassia paraensis - Botanical Description and Classification

Native to the tropical woodlands of Pará, Brazil, the evergreen member of the genus Quassia paraensis was first described scientifically in 1963. This botanical specimen belongs to the diverse flora of the Amazon basin, where it grows in humid environments. The species was documented by the botanist Adolpho Ducke and later recombined by Hans Peter Nooteboom.

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 paraensis (Pará Quassia)

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Morphology

This plant forms erect, woody structures that grow as a shrub or small tree. The leaves are arranged alternately, have a simple shape, and possess a leathery texture. The leaf surface is largely glabrous and glossy.

The inflorescences develop in the leaf axils or at the branch tips. The small, hermaphroditic flowers possess a double perianth, usually with a tetramerous structure. The fruits develop as drupes, each containing a single seed.

Interesting facts

The specific epithet paraensis directly refers to the state of Pará, located in northern Brazil, where the first botanical specimens were collected.

The transfer of this species to the genus Quassia in 1963 helped harmonize the taxonomy of several South American species previously classified under other genera.

Geography of distribution

  • Brazil

Sources

  • Plants of the World Online (POWO)
  • Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
  • International Plant Names Index (IPNI)
  • World Flora Online (WFO)

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

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