Red cinchona or Quinine tree from Köhler’s Medicinal Plants / Cinchona pubescens

File-size: 5600 x 8000 Pixel. 

Digital image of the Red cinchona or Quinine tree, scientifically referred to as Cinchona calisaya, is a remarkable illustration sourced from Köhlers Medicinal Plants, or Köhlers Medizinal Pflanzen in its original language. This drawing dates back to approximately 1887.

This piece of botanical art is versatile and can be utilized for various purposes, including printing for posters or incorporating into creative and professional projects. Its high-quality resolution and intricate details make it an excellent addition to any project requiring botanical imagery.

Cinchona pubescens, commonly known as "quinine tree," is a tall evergreen species native to the Andean region of South America. Historically, its bark has been used for medicinal purposes due to the presence of quinine alkaloids which have potent antimalarial properties. In addition, various parts of this plant have also shown anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in scientific studies. It has been widely cultivated throughout tropical regions around the world for the pharmaceutical industry's production of quinine-based medication. This tree grows up to 20 meters high and prefers a cool and moist environment with rainfall exceeding 2500 mm per annum. While over-harvesting stresses wild populations, efforts are ongoing towards sustainable cultivation practices to preserve Cinchona pubescens' utilization as an essential ingredient in malaria treatment globally.