Cinchona pubescens

Cinchona.pubescens01

Cinchona pubescens

File:Cinchona pubescens.jpg

Cinchona pubescens

Cinchona pubescens, commonly known as red cinchona, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to the Andes of South America, particularly in countries such as Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia. This plant is notable for its medicinal properties, particularly its bark, which contains quinine, an important treatment for malaria.

Description

Cinchona pubescens is a small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 15 meters in height. The leaves are opposite, simple, and elliptical, with a pubescent (hairy) underside, which gives the species its name. The flowers are small, tubular, and pink to red in color, arranged in terminal panicles. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous small seeds.

Habitat

Cinchona pubescens thrives in tropical and subtropical montane forests. It prefers well-drained soils and can be found at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters above sea level. The species has also been introduced to other regions, including Hawaii and the Galápagos Islands, where it is considered an invasive species.

Uses

The primary use of Cinchona pubescens is in the production of quinine, an alkaloid used to treat malaria. The bark of the tree is harvested and processed to extract quinine, which has been a critical component in the fight against malaria since its discovery in the 17th century. Additionally, the bark has been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, including fever and digestive disorders.

Conservation

Due to overharvesting for its valuable bark, natural populations of Cinchona pubescens have declined in some areas. Conservation efforts are focused on sustainable harvesting practices and the cultivation of the species in plantations to reduce pressure on wild populations.

Related Pages

• Quinine
• Malaria
• Rubiaceae
• Invasive species
• Traditional medicine