Wavy-leaved Quassia (Quassia undulata)

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Quassia undulata: Wavy-Leaved Tropical Tree of Africa

Spanning a wide belt across tropical West and Central Africa, Quassia undulata plays a notable role in local forest ecosystems and traditional medicine. This medium-sized tree is highly valued for its bitter wood and bark, which are utilized in various indigenous practices.

It prefers moist soils near watercourses, gallery forests, and lowland tropical rainforests. Its distribution stretches from the dry savannah boundaries of Senegal to the wet forests of Angola.

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 undulata (Wavy-leaved Quassia)

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Morphology

The tree can grow up to 15-20 meters tall, featuring a straight trunk with yellowish or grey bark. The leaves are pinnately compound, with leaflets that display characteristic wavy or undulate margins, giving the species its name.

Its small, greenish-yellow flowers are arranged in large terminal panicles. The fruits consist of smooth, oval-shaped drupes that turn dark when ripe, containing a single large seed rich in oils.

Applications

The wood of Quassia undulata is relatively light and easy to work, making it useful for local light construction, household utensils, and fuel. Traditional healers use bark and root decoctions to treat fever, stomach ailments, and respiratory issues.

Additionally, the oil extracted from the seeds is sometimes used in local cosmetic applications and soap-making. The bitter compounds also serve as natural insect repellents for stored crops.

Interesting facts

  • The specific epithet undulata refers to the wavy margins of its leaflets.
  • It can adapt to both wet rainforest conditions and drier gallery forests along rivers.
  • In some regions, the seeds are collected to extract traditional medicinal oil.

Geography of distribution

  • Senegal
  • Gambia
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Sierra Leone
  • Mali
  • Burkina Faso
  • Ivory Coast
  • Ghana
  • Togo
  • Benin
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Zambia
  • Central African Republic
  • Gabon
  • Angola
  • Congo

Sources

  • POWO (Plants of the World Online) - Synonyms and distribution details.
  • WFO (World Flora Online) - Taxonomy of the Simaroubaceae family.
  • GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) - Specimen collection and ecological data.

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

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