Be Still Tree, Quinine Tree. A fine, fast-growing tree for sheltered gardens, easily raised from seed and an unusually decorative tree for larger gardens and parks. The sweetly scented flowers attract butterflies and other insects, which in turn attract insect-eating birds, that bring about pollination. The hydrophilic nature of the plant allows seed dispersal by water to take place. Rauvolfia was named after a medical doctor and a collector of drug plants from the 16th century, Leonhart Rauwolf of Augsburg, and caffra means of Kaffraria (Eastern Cape). The common name quinine tree refers to the bitter and supposedly quinine-like properties of the bark. Ordering seeds info
