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Quassia amara
| Family Name: | Simaroubaceae |
| Common Name: | Bitter-wood, Bitterwood, Surinam Quassia, Amargo, 红雀椿 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Central and Northern South America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Shrub or small, evergreen tree, able to grow up to about 2 - 3 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Pinnately compound leaves typically consist of 3 - 5 elliptic leaflets with entire leaf margin and distinct drip tip. The rachis or leaf stalk connecting the leaflets is winged. |
| Flowers | Bright red, tubular flowers are rounded at the base with a sharply pointed tip. They open slightly at the tip to reveal yellow anthers (pollen-bearing structures). The inflorescence is known as a raceme and it is borne on a red stalk. |
| Fruit | Each flower produces up to 5 reddish brown, ellipsoid fruits that eventually turn black. Fruits are single-seeded and united at the base. |
| Cultivation | This species should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil. |
| Etymology | Genus Quassia is named after a Surinamese slave, Graman Quassi, who first discovered the medicinal properties in the plant. Species amara refers to the bitter taste of the plant when consumed. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Dicot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1087 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2380 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |