Quassia amara (Bitterwood, Amargo Bark)


Botanical Information

FamilySimaroubaceae
GenusQuassia
Speciesamara
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginGuiana, Northern Brazil, and Venezuela.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer
Restores appetite, stimulates digestion, and treats various conditions such as fever, measles, malaria, diarrhea, dysentery, urinary tract disease, liver cirrhosis, alcoholism, diabetes, albuminuria, ulcers, and smallpox.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone10 - 12
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH3 - H1b
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)1 - 15
Temperature (°F)33.8 - 59
Height3 m

Description and Growing Information

PropagationBy seeds and cuttings.
CultivationBest grown in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.
Notable SpecimensSuan Packkad Palace, Bangkok, Thailand.
HabitatAn understory plant in rainforests and humid sites.
Leaf DescriptionCompound, alternate.
Fruit DescriptionSmall drupe.
Colour DescriptionFlowers are red.

Photographs