Quinine, Cinchona bark
Cinchona officinalis

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

A shrub or tree. The leaves are narrowly oval and 10 cm long by 4 cm wide. There can be short hairs on the veins underneath. The flowers are in groups at the ends of the branches. There are many flowers. The fruit is an oblong capsule 2 cmlong.

There are about 40 Cinchona species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In South America it grows between 1,600-2,700 m above sea level. It grows in wet mountain forests. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ecuador (country/location of origin), India, Jamaica, Peru, Puerto Rica, South America, St Helena

How it is used for food

It is added to give a bitter flavour to "gin and tonic".

It is a medicinal plant.

Edible parts

Spice

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cascarilla officinalis (L.) Ruiz; Cinchona academica Guibourt; Cinchona angustifolia Ruiz; Cinchona chahuarguera Pav.; Cinchona coccinea Pav. ex DC.; Cinchona colorata Lambert; and others Cinchona calisaya Wedd.; ?