Bitterwood
Quassia amara
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Pl. FF8F — Quassia amara
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IOverview
Overview
Bitterwood (Quassia amara) is a tree or shrub native to Central and South America, found in a wide range of habitats from Belize to Venezuela. This plant thrives in environments with full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, medium to heavy (clay) soil. It is hardy in zones 10-12 and can grow up to 5 meters tall. Bitterwood is notable for its ornamental value and has been traditionally used in South American herbal medicine to support digestion, often prepared as a bitter tonic. The inner bark, which has a distinctive bitter taste, is edible and has been utilized by local communities. Its cultivation is suitable for warmer climates, making it a valuable addition to gardens in regions with similar conditions. While the plant is not drought-resistant, it requires consistent moisture to thrive. Propagation can be achieved through seeds or cuttings.
Quick answers
What is Bitterwood?
Bitterwood (Quassia amara) is a tree or shrub native to Central and South America, found in a wide range of habitats from Belize to Venezuela. This plant thrives in environments with full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, 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 · traditional-use context
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · traditional-use contextTraditional-use context
These notes are presented as ethnobotanical context. No cited clinical references are catalogued for this plant yet.
- 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.
▲ ModerateDigestion →
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 · 12 introduced
Distribution
20 native · 12 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 20 native· 12 introduced
Asia3 regions
introduced (3)MyanmarPhilippinesVietnam
Americas16 regions
native (11)BelizeColombiaCosta RicaEl SalvadorFrench GuianaGuatemalaGuyanaHondurasNicaraguaSurinameVenezuela
introduced (5)CubaDominican RepublicHaitiJamaicaPuerto Rico
Broader regions
native:Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Leeward Is., Mexico Central, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Panamá, Trinidad-Tobago, Windward Is.
introduced:Caroline Is., 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
Native to
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
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