Summary: Simarouba amara (Simaruba Bark) is a plant in the Simaroubaceae family. Verdica documents 0 traditional uses, 18 phytochemical compounds, and 0 herb-drug interactions for this species.
Found in the rainforests and savannas of South and Central America and the Caribbean, Simarouba amara or also known as Paradise Tree is a fast-growing, monoecious, evergreen tree growing up to 35 m in height and 125 cm in trunk diameter. It has small yellow flowers which occur on a staminate panicle. The leaves are compound; each leaf is comprised of 9-16 leaflets each. The fruits are green to purplish black containing large seeds which are dispersed by large birds and mammals. The crown of this species is broad and its bole is not buttressed, straight, and cylindrical. The seeds contain edible oil used in the preparation of bakery product and in the manufacture of vanaspati, vegetable oil and/or margarine. Seed oil can also be used for industrial purposes, in soap making, cosmetics, lubricants, varnishes, pharmaceutical, etc. Fruit pulp is rich in sugars and can be used in preparation of beverages. The bark is used against dysentery and diarrhea among other diseases. The leaves are also used as an herbal medicine. S. amara is used locally for paper production, furniture, plywood, matches, and construction.
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | High — needs consistently wet conditions |
| Soil | Moist, sandy |
| Hardiness Zone | USDA 10-12 |
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