Cinchona pitayensis

Cinchona pitayensis
Preserved specimen of Cinchona pitayensis, consisting of branches with brown leaves and small brown fruits
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Rubiaceae
Genus: Cinchona
Species:
C. pitayensis
Binomial name
Cinchona pitayensis
Synonyms
  • Cinchona condaminea var. pitayensis Wedd.
  • Cinchona corymbosa H.Karst.
  • Cinchona pitayensis var. trianae (H.Karst.) Wedd.
  • Cinchona trianae H.Karst.

Cinchona pitayensis is a species of flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae. It is a tree with papery leaves and capsule fruits. The species is native to Colombia and Ecuador.

Cinchona pitayensis was described in 1849, and is listed as of Least Concern by the IUCN.

Taxonomy

Cinchona pitayensis was described by Hugh Algernon Weddell in 1849. It is closely related to Cinchona macrocalyx.

Distribution

Cinchona pitayensis is native to the wet tropical biome of Colombia and Ecuador. It grows at elevations of 1,500–3,230 metres (4,920–10,600 ft).

Description

Cinchona pitayensis is a tree. It grows up to 15 metres (49 ft) high, and around 30 centimetres (12 in) wide.

The leaves are firmly papery when dry, 5.1–15 centimetres (2.0–5.9 in) long, 2.7–8.3 centimetres (1.1–3.3 in) wide, and elliptical to obovate. The leaves sometimes have tuft domatia. The leaf stems are 0.6–2.3 centimetres (0.24–0.91 in) long.

The calyx is 3.5–6 millimetres (0.14–0.24 in) long, and has 1.9–4.2 millimetres (0.075–0.165 in) long lobes. The corolla tube is 9–14 millimetres (0.35–0.55 in) long, and has 4–7 millimetres (0.16–0.28 in) long lobes.

The fruit is a dehiscent, ellipsoid to subglobose capsule, measuring 9–24 millimetres (0.35–0.94 in) long, and 6–9 millimetres (0.24–0.35 in) wide. The endocarp is woody, and 0.4–0.7 millimetres (0.016–0.028 in) thick. The seeds are 5–7 millimetres (0.20–0.28 in) long, and 2.7–4.4 millimetres (0.11–0.17 in) wide.

Uses

Cinchona pitayensis is used in medicine.

Conservation

In 2023, the IUCN assessed Cinchona pitayensis as of Least Concern.

Nomenclature

In Spanish, the species is known as cascarilla. In Portuguese, it is known as quineira.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lopez-Gallego, C.; Morales M, P.A. (2024). "Cinchona pitayensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (in Spanish). 2024 e.T42532989A42533903. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2024-2.RLTS.T42532989A42533903.es. Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Cinchona pitayensis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2026-11-07.
  3. ↑ "Cinchona pitayensis Wedd". International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Harvard University Herbaria & Libraries; Australian National Botanic Gardens.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Andersson, Lennart (30 January 1998). A revision of the genus Cinchona (Rubiaceae-Cinchoneae). Bronx, N.Y., U.S.A: New York Botanical Garden. p. 43. ISBN 0893274178. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  5. ↑ "Cinchona pitayensis (Wedd.) Wedd". CatalogueOfLife.org. Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 7 November 2026.

Data related to Cinchona pitayensis at Wikispecies