Cinchona pubescens: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:27, 27 December 2024

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, but has been widely cultivated and naturalized in other regions.

Description

Cinchona pubescens is a tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall. It has evergreen leaves and produces small, fragrant flowers that are typically pink or red. The bark of the tree is rich in quinine, an alkaloid used for treating malaria.

Uses

The bark of Cinchona pubescens has been historically significant for its medicinal properties. It is the primary source of quinine, which was the first effective treatment for malaria. Quinine is also used in the production of tonic water.

Cultivation and Habitat

Cinchona pubescens thrives in tropical climates and is often found in montane forests. It prefers well-drained soils and can be grown at altitudes ranging from 200 to 3000 meters.

Environmental Impact

In some regions, Cinchona pubescens is considered an invasive species. It can outcompete native vegetation, leading to reduced biodiversity. Efforts are being made to control its spread in areas where it poses a threat to local ecosystems.

References

   This article is a Rubiaceae stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[file:Cinchona.pubescens01.jpg|thumb|Cinchona.pubescens01]] '''Cinchona pubescens'''
-[[File:Cinchona pubescens.jpg|thumb|Cinchona pubescens]]
+{{Infobox plant
+| name = Cinchona pubescens
+| image =
+| image_caption =
+| genus = [[Cinchona]]
+| species = '''C. pubescens'''
+| authority = Vahl
+}}
-'''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]].
+'''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]], but has been widely cultivated and naturalized in other regions.
-==Description==
+== 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.
+''Cinchona pubescens'' is a [[tree]] that can grow up to 15 meters tall. It has evergreen leaves and produces small, fragrant [[flowers]] that are typically pink or red. The [[bark]] of the tree is rich in [[quinine]], an alkaloid used for treating [[malaria]].
-==Habitat==
+== Uses ==
-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]].
+The bark of ''Cinchona pubescens'' has been historically significant for its medicinal properties. It is the primary source of [[quinine]], which was the first effective treatment for [[malaria]]. Quinine is also used in the production of [[tonic water]].
-==Uses==
+== Cultivation and Habitat ==
-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]].
+''Cinchona pubescens'' thrives in [[tropical]] climates and is often found in [[montane]] forests. It prefers well-drained soils and can be grown at altitudes ranging from 200 to 3000 meters.
-==Conservation==
+== Environmental Impact ==
-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.
+In some regions, ''Cinchona pubescens'' is considered an [[invasive species]]. It can outcompete native vegetation, leading to reduced [[biodiversity]]. Efforts are being made to control its spread in areas where it poses a threat to local ecosystems.
-==Related Pages==
+== See Also ==
 * [[Quinine]]
 * [[Malaria]]
 * [[Rubiaceae]]
-* [[Invasive species]]
-* [[Traditional medicine]]
-==Categories==
+== References ==
-[[Category:Rubiaceae]]
+* [https://www.wikimd.com/wiki/Cinchona_pubescens Cinchona pubescens on WikiMD]
+* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinchona_pubescens Cinchona pubescens on Wikipedia]
+{{Rubiaceae-stub}}
+{{Taxonbar|from=Q157303}}
+[[Category:Cinchona]]
 [[Category:Medicinal plants]]
-[[Category:Trees of South America]]
 [[Category:Invasive plant species]]
+[[Category:Flora of the Andes]]
-{{Taxobox
-| name = Cinchona pubescens
-| image = Cinchona pubescens.jpg
-| image_caption = Cinchona pubescens
-| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
-| unranked_divisio = [[Angiosperms]]
-| unranked_classis = [[Eudicots]]
-| unranked_ordo = [[Asterids]]
-| ordo = [[Gentianales]]
-| familia = [[Rubiaceae]]
-| genus = [[Cinchona]]
-| species = '''C. pubescens'''
-| binomial = ''Cinchona pubescens''
-}}
-{{medicine-stub}}