bitterwood

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• bitterwood
• dysentery-bark
• paradise-tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Simarouba glauca subsp. latifolia
• Quassia glauca
• Simarouba officinalis f. glabra
• Simarouba glauca var. latifolia
• Simarouba medicinalis
• Simarouba officinalis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Simaroubaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Simarouba.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across multiple continents and regions. In the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is specifically noted within India. Moving toward the Americas, it can be found in the Southeastern United States, particularly in Florida. Its reach extends significantly through Mexico, where it inhabits the Central and Gulf regions. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout the Southwest portion of Mexico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Simarouba glauca is intrinsically linked to its primary habitat within the forest ecosystems of tropical and subtropical regions. As a component of the forest structure, this species thrives in environments characterized by complex vertical stratification and high levels of organic matter in the soil. Its presence is often dictated by the availability of light and moisture levels typical of these wooded biomes, where it participates in the intricate nutrient cycling and water regulation processes of the forest floor and canopy. By occupying specific niches within the forest, Simarouba glauca interacts with a diverse array of biotic factors, including specialized pollinators and seed dispersers, which are essential for its reproductive success and long-term persistence within its native forest communities.

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Simarouba glauca is characterized by its nature as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through many growing seasons. Throughout its development, the plant maintains an evergreen habit, retaining its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and continuous leaf presence enables the plant to sustain metabolic processes and structural growth consistently over time.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Simarouba glauca is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a self-supporting tree. This species reaches a substantial stature, with an average plant height of approximately 15 m. As a terrestrial organism, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte; instead, it maintains a strictly terrestrial life cycle. The plant is an independent organism, meaning it does not function as a parasite, and its structural development is entirely self-supporting rather than behaving as a liana, vine, or any other type of climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Simarouba glauca is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in varying environmental conditions. The plant exhibits a Specific Leaf Area (SLA) with a mean value of 103.989 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf structural investment and its capacity for light interception and gas exchange. Furthermore, Simarouba glauca does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available soil nitrates and ammonium rather than symbiotic nitrogen fixation to meet its nutritional requirements.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

103.989 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Simarouba glauca is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily involving insects such as bees, which suggests a highly specialized interaction with local fauna. The plant exhibits a lack of self-fertilization, indicating that successful reproduction relies on cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity. The resulting fruit is classified as a drupe, which is indehiscent, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. These fruits possess an average length of 2.28 cm and an average width of 1.6 cm. Following maturation, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to transport its seeds. The seeds themselves are relatively substantial, with a mean mass of approximately 0.904 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.756 g to a maximum of 1.242 g. Furthermore, the seed volume remains consistent at a value of 1100 mm³, providing the necessary biological endowment for the establishment of new seedlings through animal-mediated dispersal.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit length mean:

2.28 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width mean:

1.6 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

1.24245 g

Seed mass mean:

0.904385 g

Seed mass min:

0.75586 g

Seed volume max:

1100 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Simarouba glauca has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Heliyon
2. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

Seed

1. Journal of food science and technology

Chemicals

Simarouba glauca has 28 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 14-Deacetyleurylene, 2-Methoxycanthin-6-one, 4,5-DIMETHOXYCANTHIN-6-ONE, 9-Methoxycanthin-6-one, Arachidic acid.

14-Deacetyleurylene

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

2-Methoxycanthin-6-one

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

4,5-DIMETHOXYCANTHIN-6-ONE

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

9-Methoxycanthin-6-one

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Arachidic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Canthin-6-one

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Fraxidin

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

GLAUCARUBIN

1. Dr. Duke

Glaucarubinone

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Simarouba glauca has 56 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Amebicide.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMS

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Antialopecic

1. Dr. Duke

Antianaphylactic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Simarouba glauca has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, E. coli, Escherichia coli, Leishmania infantum, Plasmodium falciparum.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations