Quassia amara (Amargo)

Quassia amara red flower close up on a branch with green leaves
Quassia amara red flower clusters hang alongside smooth green pointed foliage stems

Botanical name: Quassia amara

Common names: Amargo, Bitter Ash, Bitterwood

Family: Simaroubaceae

Origin: South America

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9b-11

Large shrub 5-10 ft tallSmall tree 10-20 ftPlant form: Large bush or small tree
Plant mature sizeMature height: 10-20 ft
Full sunSemi-shadeSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor; semi-shade
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyWatering: Regular
Red, crimson, vinous flowersFlower color: Red, crimson, vinous
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; small gardens, containers, and indoor growing
Ethnomedical plant. Plants marked as ethnomedical and/or described as medicinal, are not offered as medicine but rather as ornamentals or plant collectibles. Ethnomedical statements / products have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. We urge all customers to consult a physician before using any supplements, herbals or medicines advertised here or elsewhere.Ethnomedical: Ethnomedical plant, traditionally used in folk or indigenous medicine

Amargo is a small tropical tree, growing only 2-6m in height. It is indigenous to Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Argentina, and Guyana. It has beautiful red flowers and fruits that turn red as they mature.

Throughout South America, amargo is a tribal remedy for debility, digestion problems, fever, liver problems, parasites, malaria, snakebite, and back spasms, it are used to stimulate the appetite and secretion of digestive juices, as well as to expel worms and intestinal parasites. In herbal medicine in the United States and Europe, amargo is employed as a bitter tonic for stomach, gallbladder, and other digestive problems (by increasing the flow of bile, digestive juices, and saliva); as a laxative, amebicide, and insecticide; and to expel intestinal worms.


Image gallery: 11 images
Quassia amara plant with long red flowers and lush green leaves growing tall
Quassia amara plant covered in red flowers amidst thick green foliage during day
Quassia amara red flower close up on a branch with green leaves
Quassia amara red tubular flower clusters attached to thin green stems
Quassia amara (Amargo) red flower close up on thin brown branch with green leaves.
Quassia amara (Amargo) red flower cluster emerging from a slender brown woody branch with foliage.
Quassia amara (Amargo) plant with red flower clusters and glossy green leaves in nature.
Quassia amara (Amargo) showing long red flower spikes among thin, glossy green pointed leaves.
Quassia amara (Amargo) green fruit close up with red stems on the plant branch
Quassia amara (Amargo) green fruit with red stems attached to a woody plant branch
Quassia amara (Amargo) red flower close up on branch, long petals, green leaves below
Quassia amara (Amargo) elongated red flower buds hanging from a slender stem with green leaves
Quassia amara (Amargo) plant with red flower close up on a thin wooden branch.
Quassia amara (Amargo) orange-red flower cluster clinging to green foliage on a thin woody branch.
Quassia amara (Amargo) plant with small red flower buds and narrow green and bronze leaves.
Quassia amara (Amargo) branch with small red flower buds and soft green and bronze foliage.
Quassia amara (Amargo) green leaves close up on a thin red stem branch
Quassia amara (Amargo) leaves with green oval shapes and a thin red central stem
Quassia amara (Amargo) branch with narrow green leaves and elongated red flower buds close up
Quassia amara (Amargo) branch with elongated red flower buds and narrow green leaves close up
Quassia amara (Amargo) shrub with green leaves and narrow red flowers on the plant branches.
Quassia amara (Amargo) shrub with green leaves and clusters of narrow red flowers on branches.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/quassia_amara.htm
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