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Glite Dictionary
Picrasma excelsum

Picrasma excelsum

9.9
A West Indian tree whose wood gives a bitter extract called Jamaica quassia used in medicine
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Picrasma excelsum
  • The bark of Picrasma excelsum is traditionally used to make Jamaica quassia extract.

Examples

  • The wood from Picrasma excelsum is known for its intensely bitter taste.

  • The Picrasma excelsum tree grows in tropical regions.

  • Researchers are studying the potential health benefits of Picrasma excelsum in herbal medicine.

  • Many herbalists use Picrasma excelsum for its medicinal properties.

  • The bark of Picrasma excelsum is traditionally used to make Jamaica quassia extract, which is a known bitter tonic.

  • Many herbalists recommend Picrasma excelsum for its medicinal properties, especially as a digestive aid.

  • Researchers are exploring the use of Picrasma excelsum as a natural remedy due to its potential health benefits.

Synonyms

Picrasma excelsa
vsPicrasma excelsum
  • Specialized
9.9

A Caribbean tree whose wood people use to make a bitter medicine and a flavouring

is used mainly as a medicinal bitter tonic not as a flavoring
Jamaica quassia
vsPicrasma excelsum
  • US
9.9

A West Indian tree whose wood is used to make a bitter tonic and a natural insecticide

is used mainly as a medicinal bitter tonic rather than for insect control

Surface Forms

Picrasma excelsum singular
Picrasma excelsums plural

Morphology

Picrasma + excelsum

This is a scientific Latin binomial: while the genus 'Picrasma' may suggest a kind of tropical bitter tree, the species epithet 'excelsum' is Latin and not a familiar English word for a B1 learner. The specific medicinal/biogeographical meaning (source of Jamaica quassia, West Indian tree) is technical and cannot be derived from the constituent forms, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Picrasma excelsum comes from parts that mean 'bitter' and 'tall': Picrasma points to its very bitter wood and bark, and excelsum means 'tall'. So the name fits the tree we use for the bitter Jamaica quassia extract and reminds us of its strong taste.