Paradise tree, bitterwood
Simarouba amara

Family: Simaroubaceae

What it is like

Found in the rainforests and savannas of South and Central America and the Caribbean, Simarouba amara or also known as Paradise Tree is a fast-growing, monoecious, evergreen tree growing up to 35 m in height and 125 cm in trunk diameter. It has small yellow flowers which occur on a staminate panicle. The leaves are compound; each leaf is comprised of 9-16 leaflets each. The fruits are green to purplish black containing large seeds which are dispersed by large birds and mammals. The crown of this species is broad and its bole is not buttressed, straight, and cylindrical. The seeds contain edible oil used in the preparation of bakery product and in the manufacture of vanaspati, vegetable oil and/or margarine. Seed oil can also be used for industrial purposes, in soap making, cosmetics, lubricants, varnishes, pharmaceutical, etc. Fruit pulp is rich in sugars and can be used in preparation of beverages. The bark is used against dysentery and diarrhea among other diseases. The leaves are also used as an herbal medicine. S. amara is used locally for paper production, furniture, plywood, matches, and construction.

Simarouba amara is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

An understorey tree in moist thickets or wet forests at elevations up to 850 metres. Rain and savannah forests. Found in both dense, primary forest and also in the more open and secondary growth areas.

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Guatemala; Caribbean - Trinidad - Leeward Islands.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil; Colombia; Bolivia, Plurinational State of; Belize; Honduras; Costa Rica; Panama; Peru; Ecuador; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of; Guyana; French Guiana; Suriname; Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Dominica; Grenada; Guadeloupe; Martinique; Montserrat; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Trinidad and Tobago; Mexico, Africa, Antilles, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Caribbean, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Martinique, Nicaragua, North America, Puerto Rico, South America, St Lucia, Trinidad, USA,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

The seeds contain 60 - 75% edible oil that can be extracted by conventional methods. Each well-grown tree yields 15 to 30 Kg nutlets equivalent to 2.5-5 kg oil and about the same quantity of oilcake. This amounts to 1000-2000 kg oil/ha/year and about the same quantity of oilcake. The oil is largely used in the preparation of bakery products in Central America. In India too it can be used in the manufacture of vanaspati, vegetable oil and/or margarine. The oil is free from bad cholesterol. The fruit pulp, rich in sugars (about 11%) can be used in the preparation of beverages.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 4

The leaves and bark have a long history of medicinal use in the tropics, particularly in the treatment of malaria, fevers and dysentery; as an astringent to stop bleeding; and as a tonic. They are also used as a digestive, emmenagogue and to treat parasites both within and on the body. Research has discovered a range of medically active compounds in the plant. The main active compounds are a group of triterpenes called quassinoids. The antiprotozoal and antimalarial properties of these chemicals have been documented for many years. Several of the quassinoids found in simarouba, such as ailanthinone, glaucarubinone, and holacanthone, are considered the plant's main therapeutic constituents and are the ones documented to be antiprotozoal, anti-amoebic, antimalarial, and even toxic to cancer and leukaemia cells. Studies have shown that the plant is over 90% effective against amoebic dysentery The bark, and/or its three main quassinoids, have been shown to be an effective treatment against malaria, including strains that have become resistant to drug treatment. Research has also shown that the bark has good antiviral properties, effective against herpes, influenza, polio, and vaccinia viruses. The quassinoids responsible for the anti-amoebic and antimalarial properties have also been shown to possess active cancer-killing properties. The bark is used as a bitter tonic. It is known as 'Jamaica Bark' or 'Orinoco Simaruba Oil'. A decoction is taken internally in the treatment of anaemia, diarrhoea, dysentery, malaria, fevers, haemorrhages, intestinal parasites and colitis. The leaves are used in the treatment of rheumatism, or are applied in the form of a lotion for body pain, bruises or skin itch. The fruit is a strong stimulant with a pleasantly bitter taste, it is an effective treatment for dysentery.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Antiviral: Treats virus diseases

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Bitter: Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Digestive: Aids digestion.

Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.

Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 3

Agroforestry Uses: A fast-growing tree that tolerates full sun; provides food for the native fauna; supplies a range of commodities for humans; and has various soil improving actions - it is an excellent choice as part of a mixed planting when restoring native woodland and also for establishing woodland gardens. The tree has a well-developed root system and an evergreen, dense canopy - it efficiently checks soil erosion, supports soil microbial life, and improves groundwater availability. It is shade tolerant and occurs as an under-storey tree, particularly under the canopy of large fruit trees where birds perch and deposit the seeds. It is found as an associated species of the subtropical moist forest, sharing a position with other common trees of the home and humid perennial gardens, such as mango (Mangifera indica), royal palm (Roystonea borinquena), avocado (Persea americana) and plantain (Musa x paridisiaca). The oilcake being rich in nitrogen (8%), phosphorus (1.1%) and potash (1.2%), is good organic manure. The pulp and leaf litter can be economically used in the manufacture of vermicompost (about 8 tons/ha/year). Other Uses An oil obtained from the seed can be used for industrial purposes in the manufacture of bio-fuels, soaps, detergents, lubricants, varnishes, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals etc. The seed shells can be used in the manufacture of particleboard, activated charcoal or as fuel. Freshly cut, the heartwood is whitish or cream coloured with occasionally a yellow or greenish cast - when dry it becomes a uniform cream colour with occasional oily streaks; it is not differentiated from the sapwood. The texture is medium to coarse, and uniform; the grain usually straight; lustre is rather high; there is no odour but there is a bitter quinine-like taste. The wood is very light in weight; very soft; not very strong; somewhat brittle; not durable outdoors and is very susceptible to dry-wood termite attack and prone to blue stain. It seasons rapidly, with little chance of distortion or checking; once dry it is stable in service. It works easily and machines to a smooth clean surface; it is easy to finish, though filling is recommended in order to obtain a good surface; nailing and screwing are poor; gluing is correct. The wood is used as the sounding board for string instruments, for interior construction, turnery, boxes and crates, matches, furniture components, veneer and plywood, pattern making, millwork, particleboard and fibreboard.

Charcoal: Used for fuel, drawing, deodorant, filter, fertilizer etc.

Compost: Plants used for activating compost heaps, providing biomass for composting, using as instant compost etc.

Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.

Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.

Fertilizer: Provides a concentrated solid plant food.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

Soap making: Plants used as an ingredient in making soaps. Does not include the essential oils, dyes and oils that are also used in making soap.

Soil conditioner: Plants grown to improve the structure of the soil. See also Green manures.

Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.

Varnish: Plants that can be used as a varnish without any special treatment. Does not include varnishes made from oils etc.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Experimental Crop: Plant breeders are testing these plants to see if they could be domesticated for cultivation, but they are still in an experimental phase. Examples include milkweed and leafy spurge.

Industrial Crop: Oil: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, biomass, glycerin, soaps, lubricants, paints, biodiesel. Oilseed crop types.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Industrial Crop: Oil: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, biomass, glycerin, soaps, lubricants, paints, biodiesel. Oilseed crop types.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A plant of the moist, lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature ranges between 22 - 29°c, but can tolerate a range of 18 - 34°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 4,000mm, growing in areas with a distinct dry season and where there is no dry season. Shade tolerant. Prefers sandy soils in the wild. In the wild, it is found on rocky, shallow calcareous soils of mountain slopes and ridges, as well as on the deeper soils of the ravines and alluvial plains. The plant develops a shallow root system, often suitable to mountain soils. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 8, tolerating 5.5 - 8.5. A fast-growing tree.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A moderate rate of germination can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 40 days. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 5 months later.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

The residual cake left after processing the crude fat from the seed contains a toxin.

Its other names

Local names

bois blanc - French, arubá - Portuguese (Brazil), caixeta - Portuguese (Brazil), marupá - Portuguese (Brazil), marupá-verdadeiro - Portuguese (Brazil), simaruba - Portuguese (Brazil), maruba - Spanish, marupa - Spanish. Aceituno, Ruga, arubá, bitterwood, bois blanc, caixeta, leskuéla, maruba, marupa, marupá, marupá-verdadeiro, paradise tree, simaruba.

Synonyms

Quassia simaruba L.f. Simarouba opaca (Engl.) Radlk. ex Engl. Zwingera amara (Aubl.) Willd.

Paradise tree, bitterwood Simarouba amara