Wild quassia (Quassia silvestris)

Takanɗar giwa
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey / License

Quassia silvestris - Habitat, Range, and Characteristics

Sparsely distributed across the equatorial forests of West and Central Africa, Quassia silvestris thrives as a wild understory species. This flowering plant is found in dense humid forests across countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, and Cameroon. It was scientifically described by Cheek and Jongkind and is classified within the Simaroubaceae family.

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 silvestris (Wild quassia)

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Morphology

The plant grows as a perennial shrub or small tree in the understory of moist forests. Its leaves are arranged alternately and feature a prominent main vein. The leaf margins are entire and the blade is leathery-thickened.

The flowers are grouped in dense, terminal or axillary inflorescences. They have inconspicuous, greenish-yellow petals and several stamens. After pollination, firm drupes form, surrounding the seed.

Interesting facts

The specific epithet silvestris refers to the plant's natural habitat in wild forested areas. Due to the extreme bitterness of its wood, the species is resistant to many wood pests. This makes the wood a valued material for simple everyday items in some regions.

Geography of distribution

  • Liberia
  • Sierra Leone
  • Ivory Coast
  • Ghana
  • Benin
  • Nigeria
  • Cameroon
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Gabon
  • Congo
  • Angola
  • Uganda
  • Kenya
  • Tanzania

Sources

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

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

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