Title: Quassia

Additional Names: Bitter wood; bitter ash

Literature References: The wood of Picrasma excelsa (Sw.) Planch, or of Quassia amara L., Simaroubaceae. The first is known in commerce as Jamaica quassia, the second as Surinam quassia. Habit. Picrasma escelsa inhabits Jamaica and the Caribbean Islands; Quassia amara is a native of Brazil and Guiana and is cultivated in Colombia, Panama, and the West Indies. Quassin and neoquassin are the bitter principles of Surinam quassia; picrasmin, that of Jamaica quassia. These bitter pinciples are obtained in yields of 0.1-0.2% and appear commercially under the name of quassin.

Properties: Unground quassia occurs usually in chips, raspings, or shavings, occasionally in billets; yellowish-white to bright yellow with a few light gray pieces; coarsely grained, fibrous. Slight odor; very bitter taste. The powdered form is pale yellow in color.

Use: The extract is used for fly poison on flypaper; to imitate hops.

Therap-Cat: Anthelmintic.

Therap-Cat-Vet: Has been used as a bitter, as an anthelmintic.