Surinam quassia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Surinam quassia
• bitterwood
• quassia
• quassia-wood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Quassia amara f. paniculata
• Quassia officinalis
• Quassia amara var. grandiflora
• Quassia amara var. paniculata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Simaroubaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Quassia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several distinct tropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Guinea. The species also extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, covering the Congo and the islands of the Gulf of Guinea. Moving eastward into the Indo-China region, the plant can be found growing in Myanmar. Finally, its range continues through Vietnam, completing its widespread presence across these diverse environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Quassia amarara is characterized by its presence within the Floresta de Terra Firme, where it thrives in non-flooded forest environments. This species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Quassia amara is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its natural habitat over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody plant, it undergoes a continuous cycle of vegetative growth and seasonal development, establishing a robust root system that supports its long-term survival. Throughout its life cycle, the plant transitions through various stages of maturity, contributing to the stability of its ecosystem by maintaining a consistent presence. This perennial nature ensures that it can endure environmental fluctuations, repeatedly engaging in reproductive cycles to ensure the continued propagation of its species within its native range.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Quassia amarum is characterized by a woody growth form that manifests in both tree and shrub dimensions. This terrestrial species is self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana, and it functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. It does not exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 7 m, with a mean height typically recorded at around 5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7 m

Plant height mean:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Quassia amaram is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a standard metabolic process for many woody medicinal species that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide via the enzyme RuBisCO. Its leaf structural composition is defined by a consistent leaf dry matter content (LDMC) of 402.3 mg/g, indicating a uniform density of organic material within its foliar tissues across measured samples. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on soil-available nitrogen rather than symbiotic diazotrophic processes to meet its nutritional requirements.

Leaf dry matter content (LDMC) mean:

402.3 mg/g

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Quassia amaram is characterized by a complex interaction with its environment, primarily relying on biotic mechanisms for successful fertilization. The plant exhibits a pollination syndrome that is fundamentally biotic, distinguishing it from species that rely on abiotic factors such as wind or water. Within this biotic framework, the reproductive process is heavily influenced by animal vectors, with specific evidence indicating a pollination syndrome involving birds. This reliance on avian pollinators suggests a specialized evolutionary adaptation where the floral morphology and nectar availability are likely tuned to attract bird species, facilitating the transfer of pollen between individual plants to ensure genetic diversity and successful seed production.

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Quassia amara has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Chemicals

Quassia amara has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include quassin, 18-Hydroxyquassin, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Calcium tartrate, EO.

quassin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Experimental parasitology

18-Hydroxyquassin

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Calcium tartrate

1. Dr. Duke

EO

1. Dr. Duke

Gallic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Isoquassin

1. Dr. Duke

Neoquassin

1. Dr. Duke

Potassium acetate

1. Dr. Duke

Quassinol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Quassia amara has 111 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include ACE-Inhibitor, Amebicide, Analgesic, Androgenic, Angiogenic.

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMRSA

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenovirus

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Quassia amara has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations