Bitterwood, Paradise-tree
Quassia simarouba

Family: Simaroubaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 16 m tall. The young leaves are deep rosy red. The flowers are white and small. They hang in huge yellow stemmed panicles. The fruit has a white pulp. The fruit are bitter and edible.

There are about 35-42 Quassia species. Some authorities have only one Quassia. They are in Asia and Africa. There is one in tropical America.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to C. America and the West Indies. It grows in tropical America. It can tolerate drought. It can tolerate salt.

Countries/locations it is found in

Bahamas, Belize, Central America, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guiana, Guatemala, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hispaniola, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Puerto Rico, Suriname USA, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The oil is used to make margarine and coking oil.

Trees are grown commercially in El Salvador.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Aceituna, Olivo, Simarupa

Synonyms

Simarouba glauca DC.;