Quassia amara
Bitterwood
Used in local traditions, Bitterwood is a tropical plant known for its bitter taste and popular uses.
's Species Profile
A medicinal tropical tree, Bitterwood is valued for its traditional properties and light foliage.
Family:
Simaroubacar
Geographical origin:
Tropical America
Size:
2 to 6 meters
Flowering:
All year round with a peak from March to August
Habitat:
Tropical rainforests and sunny areas
Class:
Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Order:
Sapindales
A medicinal plant with a very bitter taste
Bitterwood is a tropical plant long used in traditional pharmacopoeias. Its wood and leaves are known for their particularly bitter taste. In the West Indies, it is often used in infusions or macerations in local preparations.
This plant thrives in warmth and humidity. Its small, bright red flowers contrast with its glossy green foliage. Like the shell ginger (Alpinia zerumbet) or the Doliprane (Plectranthus barbatus), it is one of the emblematic medicinal plants of Creole gardens.
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