Simaruba Bitterwood (Quassia simaruba)

Simarouba Marupa Bitterwood Dysentery bark
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey / License

Quassia simaruba: Guide to the Bitterwood Tree

Indigenous to the tropical regions of the Americas, Quassia simaruba stands out as a prominent canopy tree of rain forests. This species plays a critical ecological role in providing shelter and food for various forest organisms.

Traditional medicine has long utilized the bark of this tree, which is rich in bitter compounds. In ecological restoration efforts, the plant helps in soil conservation and biodiversity enhancement.

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 simaruba (Simaruba Bitterwood)

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Morphology

The tree typically reaches heights of 20 to 30 meters, characterized by a smooth, greyish-brown bark. Its foliage consists of alternate, pinnately compound leaves with leathery, dark green leaflets that exhibit a glossy upper surface.

Small, greenish-yellow flowers assemble in large, spreading panicles at the branch tips. These produce oval drupes that turn a deep purplish-black when fully mature, attracting a wide range of forest birds.

Flowering season

From late winter to spring, typically peaking between February and April.

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Applications

Timber Industry: The lightweight, light-colored wood is highly sought after for interior construction, plywood, and paper pulp. It resists insects well due to natural bitter substances.

Traditional Medicine: Extracts from the bitter bark have historically treated fevers, malaria, and digestive disorders like dysentery. Modern pharmacology investigates these quassinoids for potential antimicrobial properties.

Interesting facts

  • Natural Repellent: The high concentration of bitter quassinoids in the foliage and wood provides natural resistance against termites and other herbivorous insects.
  • Dysentery Bark: During the 18th century, European apothecaries imported large quantities of this bark to treat outbreaks of dysentery.

Geography of distribution

  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Venezuela
  • Costa Rica
  • Jamaica

Sources

Technical Information

External Databases: POWO, Tropicos

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