Historical reference: Do not rely on this information. It is very old. About this collection
Quassia, a bitter febrifuge wood originally obtained from Quassia amara, a lofty tree of Surinam belonging to the order Simarubaceae, closely allied to the rue tribe. It is now mainly obtained from the allied Picraena excelsa of Jamaica. It is carved into "bitter cups" which give a taste to water, and is said to be used as a hop-substitute in brewing. Upon the lower animals it has a narcotic effect.