Definition

Noun 1. Picrasma excelsa: A species of tree native to the West Indies, known for its extremely bitter wood and bark, which is the source of the medicinal preparation called Jamaica quassia.

Usage

• The noun "Picrasma excelsa" is used as the specific botanical name for this tree species. It is a formal, scientific term.
• It is typically used in botanical, pharmacological, or historical contexts when referring to the source of the bitter compound.

Examples

• The bitter tonic was traditionally made from the bark of .
• is closely related to , another source of quassia.
• The study compared the insecticidal properties of extracts from .

Advanced Usage

• The name is often italicized in writing, as is standard for genus and species names in scientific literature.
• It may be followed by the name of the botanist who first described it (e.g., (Sw.) Planch.), though this is primarily for taxonomic precision.

Variants and Related Words

• Jamaica quassia (n): The name for the medicinal preparation (a bitter extract or the wood chips) derived from . This is the more common term in pharmacy and herbalism.
• Quassia (n): A broader term that can refer to the bitter principle itself or to preparations from either (Jamaica quassia) or (Surinam quassia).
• Bitterwood (n): A common name for , describing its intensely bitter taste.

Synonyms

• Jamaica quassia tree
• Bitterwood (in specific reference to this species)

Notes on Meaning

• The primary meaning of "Picrasma excelsa" is strictly botanical, identifying the specific tree.
• Its practical and historical significance lies almost entirely in its use as the source of Jamaica quassia, a well-known bitter tonic and insecticide.

Noun

1. West Indian tree yielding the drug Jamaica quassia