Family: Rubiaceae
Author: Vahl
Bibliography: Skr. Naturhist.-Selsk. 1: 19 (1790)
Year: 1790
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cinchona
Vegetable: False
Observations: Costa Rica to W. South America
Description
Quinine, known scientifically as Cinchona pubescens, is a significant plant native to regions spanning from Costa Rica to western South America. It belongs to the diverse family Rubiaceae, distinguished by its medicinal properties which have historically held immense value.
First documented in 1790 within the publication “Skr. Naturhist.-Selsk.”, quinine has been studied extensively by botanists and medical researchers alike. The botanist Vahl is credited with its scientific classification, providing a foundational understanding of its characteristics and distribution.
Quinina pubescens is particularly renowned for its bark, which contains quinine alkaloids. These compounds were pivotal in the treatment of malaria, a breakthrough that positioned the plant as a cornerstone in the annals of medicinal history. The extraction and use of quinine significantly impacted global health, especially in malaria-endemic regions, transforming both medical practices and botanical sciences.
The typical habitat of this plant includes tropical climates where it thrives, contributing to both the ecological diversity and the medicinal lore of the areas it inhabits. As with many plants in the Rubiaceae family, Cinchona pubescens is not only valued for its pharmacological applications but also admired for its natural beauty, with the plant featuring lush foliage and delicate flowers.
In contemporary times, while synthetic versions of quinine have been developed, the historical importance of Cinchona pubescens remains a powerful testament to the natural world’s contributions to medicine. Researchers continue to explore its properties, ensuring that this venerable plant retains its esteemed status in both botanical and medical fields.
Common Names
Eng: quinine tree, quinine, red peruvian-bark, red cinchona, redbark
Spa: cascarilla, cinchona
Por: quina-do-amazonas
Fra: quinquina rouge
Swe: rött kinaträd
En: Quinine, Red Peruvian-bark, Red cinchona, Redbark, Quinine tree, Peruvian Bark, Quinquinia rouge
Az: Qırmızışirəli kinə ağacı
Eu: Kinkina
Bg: Хининово дърво
Ca: Quina roja
Zh: 鸡纳树
Cs: Chinovník pýřitý
Fi: Kiniinipuu
Fr: Quinquina rouge, Quinine, Arbre à quinine, Quinquina
De: Chinarindenbaum, Roter Chinarindenbaum
Hu: Vörös kínafa
Pt: Quina-do-Amazonas
Pt-br: Quineira
Es: Cascarilla, Cinchona, Hoja ahumada, Hoja de zambo, Roja, Rosada, Quinoa
Sv: Rött kinaträd
Synonyms
- Cinchona succirubra var. conglomerata (Howard)
- Quinquina pubescens ((Vahl) Kuntze)
- Cinchona cordifolia var. macrocarpa (Wedd. ex Howard)
- Cinchona caloptera (Miq.)
- Quinquina ovata ((Ruiz & Pav.) Kuntze)
- Cinchona chomeliana (Wedd.)
- Cinchona elliptica (Wedd.)
- Cinchona pubescens var. pelletieriana ((Wedd.) Wedd.)
- Cinchona subsessilis (Miq.)
- Cinchona succirubra var. vera (Howard)
- Cinchona howardiana (Kuntze)
- Cinchona ovata var. rufinervis ((Wedd.) Wedd.)
- Cinchona succirubra var. spruceana (Howard)
- Cinchona purpurea (Ruiz & Pav.)
- Cinchona lutea (Pav.)
- Cinchona pallescens var. ovata ((Ruiz & Pav.) Howard)
- Cinchona purpurascens (Wedd.)
- Cinchona morado (Ruiz)
- Cinchona rubicunda (Tafalla ex Wedd.)
- Quinquina obovata ((Pav. ex Howard) Kuntze)
- Cinchona rugosa (Pav. ex DC.)
- Cinchona succirubra var. erythroderma (Howard)
- Cinchona rotundifolia (Pav. ex Lamb.)
- Cinchona cordifolia var. rotundifolia ((Pav. ex Lamb.) Wedd.)
- Cinchona cordifolia var. peruviana (Howard)
- Cinchona ovata (Ruiz & Pav.)
- Cinchona lechleriana (Schltdl.)
- Cinchona pelalba (Pav. ex DC.)
- Cinchona ovata var. vulgaris (Wedd.)
- Cinchona colorata (C.J.Laubert ex B.D.Jacks.)
- Cinchona pubescens var. cordata (DC.)
- Cinchona obovata (Pav. ex Howard)
- Cinchona cordifolia var. vera (Wedd.)
- Cinchona goudotiana (Klotzsch ex Triana)
- Cinchona succirubra (Pav. ex Klotzsch)
- Cinchona decurrentifolia (Pav.)
- Cinchona cordifolia (Mutis)
- Cinchona pallescens (Ruiz ex Vitman)
- Cinchona govana (Miq.)
- Cinchona succirubra var. cuchicara (Howard)
- Cinchona palescens (Vell.)
- Cinchona rufinervis (Wedd.)
- Cinchona tucujensis (H.Karst.)
- Cinchona pubescens var. purpurea ((Ruiz & Pav.) Wedd.)
- Cinchona coronulata (Miq.)
- Cinchona rosulenta (Howard ex Wedd.)
- Cinchona platyphylla (Wedd.)
- Cinchona pelletieriana (Wedd.)
- Cinchona pubescens var. ovata ((Ruiz & Pav.) DC.)
- Quinquina succirubra ((Pav. ex Klotzsch) Kuntze)
- Cinchona cordifolia var. microcarpa (Howard)
Distribution
- Bolivia (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Peru (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Mexico Southeast (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Sulawesi (introduced)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Nov 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Bark
Taken Nov 30, 2021 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken May 14, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 14, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 14, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 14, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 6, 2020 by Forero Castañeda Camila (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken May 14, 2015 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)
Taken Sep 1, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Flower
Taken Nov 6, 2020 by Forero Castañeda Camila (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 24, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Sep 1, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2901294)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:746872-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cinchona pubescens Vahl)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Tree
