Alstonia constricta

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Alstonia constricta
Alstonia constricta foliage and flowers
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Alstonia
Species:
A. constricta
Binomial name
Alstonia constricta
F.Muell.

Alstonia constricta, commonly known as quinine bush or bitterbark, is an endemic Australian endemic shrub or small tree of the family Apocynaceae.

Growth

Alstonia constricta has an erect growth form. Growing to 12 m in height. The species is capable of producing adventitious

lanceolate, from 5–20 cm (2.0–7.9 in) in length. Flowers are white to cream, 2–4 cm (0.79–1.57 in) across. The bark has a corky
texture, and develops a grooved appearance in older plants. Alstonia constricta produces a white
alkaloids, several of which have medicinal potential, including reserpine
.

Distribution and habitat

Alstonia constricta bark.

Alstonia constricta is the only

subtropical member of the genus, and occurs in Eastern Australia from the Tropic of Capricorn southward to northern New South Wales. The species occurs in eucalypt and acacia woodlands, vine scrubs and gallery forests from humid coastal regions through to the semi-arid and arid inland. The field botanist Anders Bofeldt discovered an isolated population in the Shoalhaven River Gorge in southern New South Wales.[1]

Historical uses

bichromate of potash, picric acid, and with the alkalies and alkaline carbonates. Tannic acid does not precipitate the hydrochloride, but does the acetate and the pure base. Concentrated nitric acid dissolves alsfonin with crimson colour, yellow on warming; sulphuric acid reddish-brown, afterwards dirty green; hydrochloric acid only...".[2]

According to

homoeopaths.[3]

Bitterbark has been used to treat colds, and was used after World War II to treat returning soldiers who had contracted malaria.[4]

Research

As of 2022 research into various types of

gumby gumby.[4]

References

Wikispecies has information related to Alstonia constricta.
  1. ISBN 978-0-9589436-7-3
    page 71
  2. ^ J. H. Maiden (1889). The useful native plants of Australia : Including Tasmania. Turner and Henderson, Sydney.
  3. ^ "A Modern Herbal - Alstonia Bark". Botanical.com. Retrieved 2 May 2022. A Modern Herbal, first published in 1931, by Mrs. M. Grieve, contains Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-Lore.
  4. ^ a b Hines, Jasmine (25 April 2022). "Gumby gumby trees and other Aboriginal medicines to be researched by CQ University". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
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