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Cinchona micrantha - Ruiz & Pav.

Common Name Huannco
Family Zygophyllaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range Western S. America - Ecuador.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (4 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Cinchona micrantha Huannco


https://edibleplants.org/
Cinchona micrantha Huannco
https://edibleplants.org/

 

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Summary

Huannco, Cinchona micrantha, is a small evergreen shrub or tree found in western South America particularly in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. It grows up to 8 m tall. It is used in the treatment of fever, malaria, neuralgia, muscle cramps and sore throats, cardiac fibrillation. The bark is made into tablets, liquid extracts, tinctures and powders. If consumed in high amount, however, it may result to headache, giddiness and deafness.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Cinchona micrantha is an evergreen Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cinchona affinis Wedd.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Inner bark
Edible Uses: Drink

Quinine, extracted from the bark of the tree, is used as a bitter flavouring in tonic water and carbonated drinks[ 238 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Cardiac  Febrifuge  Malaria  Tonic

Huannco has a long history of native use, especially as a treatment for fevers and malaria. Modern research has shown it to be a very effective treatment for fevers, and especially as a treatment and preventative of malaria. The bark contains various alkaloids, particularly quinine and quinidine[ 238 ] The bark is a bitter, astringent, tonic herb that lowers fevers, relaxes spasms, is antimalarial (the alkaloid quinine) and slows the heart (the alkaloid quinidine)[ 238 ]. The bark is made into various preparations, such as tablets, liquid extracts, tinctures and powders[ 238 ]. It is used internally in the treatment of malaria, neuralgia, muscle cramps and cardiac fibrillation[ 238 ]. It is an ingredient in various proprietary cold and influenza remedies[ 238 ]. It is also used as a gargle to treat sore throats[ 238 ]. Large and too constant doses must be avoided, as they produce headache, giddiness and deafness[ 418 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Teeth

Other uses rating: Low (2/5). The powdered bark is often used in tooth-powders, owing to its astringency[ 418 ].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers high humidity and a temperature that does not fall below about 15°c[ 238 ]. Requires a well-drained, moist soil and a position in full sun or partial shade[ 238 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - Nodal softwood cuttings[ 200 ]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a sandy soil[ 200 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Huannco, Cinchona micrantha.

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Peru

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cinchona calisayaPeruvian Bark, QuinineTree6.0 10-12 MLMSNM252
Cinchona officinalisLojabarkTree8.0 10-12 MLMSNM252
Cinchona pubescensQuinine tree, Red Bark, Cinchona, Quina, Quinquina, Quinine Bark, Peruvian Bark, Jesuit's BarkTree15.0 10-12 FLMSNM252

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Ruiz & Pav.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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