Simarouba glauca DC.

 

Family: Simaroubaceae

Synonym: Quassia glauca (DC.) Spreng. 

Vernacular names: Paradise-tree

Habit: Tree

Habitat: Dry Broadleaf Evergreen

Distribution: Native of Tropical America.

Flowering and fruiting: December-February

Key identification feature: These medium-sized trees have alternating leaves, odd or even pinnate, with 5-7 pairs of glossy, oblong leaflets. Terminal panicles bear small, greenish-yellow flowers with a hairy disc and 10 stamens. The ovoid fruit has a glossy purple skin and contains one seed.

 Uses: Its seeds produce an edible oil, drastic improvement from various conditions such as gastritis from Helicobacter pylori, acidity, rheumatoid arthritis.