Bitterwood
Quassia amara
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Pl. FF8F — Quassia amara
Quassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amaraQuassia amara
IOverview
Overview
Bitterwood (Quassia amara) is a tree or shrub native to Central and South America, found in habitats ranging from Belize to Venezuela. Known for its light requirement of full sun to partial shade, this plant thrives in moist conditions with medium to heavy clay soil. It is hardy in zones 10-12 and can grow up to 5 meters tall. Bitterwood is notable not only as an ornamental but also for its edible inner bark, which has been utilized by local communities. Its distinctive feature lies in the bitter taste of its wood and bark, a characteristic that has made it valuable in traditional medicine and culinary practices.
Quick answers
What is Bitterwood?
Bitterwood (Quassia amara) is a tree or shrub native to Central and South America, found in habitats ranging from Belize to Venezuela. Known for its light requirement of full sun to partial shade, this plant thrives in moist conditions with medium to heavy clay soil.
What is Bitterwood used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Bitterwood
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Bitterwood has been traditionally used in South American herbal medicine to support digestion, often prepared as a bitter tonic. It is believed to stimulate appetite and aid in the breakdown of fats.
The mechanism involves stimulating digestive secretions through bitter compounds that activate taste receptors on the tongue, leading to increased bile and gastric juice production.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Bitterwood support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Bitterwood thrives in full to partial sun and requires moist soil that can be medium or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 10-12, making it suitable for warmer climates. This tree or shrub grows up to 5 meters tall and produces edible inner bark. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Propagate Bitterwood through seeds or cuttings.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
10-12
Habit
Tree, Shrub
Mature size
5.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Bitterwood for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, sunny spot and basic care for Bitterwood.
- 1
What you'll need
Bitterwood seeds or young plants, potting soil, containers if planting in pots.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Bitterwood during the spring when temperatures are warm and stable.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a mix of medium or heavy clay. Ensure containers have drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds in the ground after danger of frost is past, or start young plants indoors 4-6 weeks before planting.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist. Place in a partially shaded area until established.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun for best growth but partial shade can be tolerated. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune young plants to shape and remove dead branches. Harvest inner bark for medicinal use after 3 years.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun without partial shade, neglecting to prune, not harvesting inner bark when mature.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Inner bark
Edible uses: Drink
Other uses:HouseplantPest control
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
20 native · 10 introduced
Distribution
20 native · 10 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 20 native· 10 introduced
Asia2 regions
introduced (2)MyanmarVietnam
Americas16 regions
native (11)BelizeColombiaCosta RicaEl SalvadorFrench GuianaGuatemalaGuyanaHondurasNicaraguaSurinameVenezuela
introduced (5)CubaDominican RepublicHaitiJamaicaPuerto Rico
Broader regions
native:Mexico Southwest, Panamá, Trinidad-Tobago, Windward Is., Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Leeward Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Southeast
introduced:Congo, Gulf of Guinea Is., Jawa
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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