Cinchona pubescens Cinchona pubescens Cinchona pubescens, also known as red cinchona and quina (Quechua) ( "Cascarilla, cinchona"; "quina-do-amazonas, quineira"), is native to Central and South America. It is known as a medicinal plant for its bark's high quinine content- and has similar uses to "Cinchona officinalis" in the production of quinine, most famously used for treatment of malaria. "C. pubescens" varies from small to large in size, growing to 10 meters in height (33 ft). When cut, the bark tends to turn red. Leaves are elliptical to oblate and thin. The leaves have pubescent teeth that turn red when they are older,
Birch bark from live trees is harmful to tree health and should be avoided. Instead, it can be removed fairly easily from the trunk or branches of dead wood, by cutting a slit lengthwise through the bark and pulling or prying it away from the wood. The best time for collection is spring or early summer, as the bark is of better quality and most easily removed. Removing the outer (light) layer of bark from the trunk of a living tree may not kill it, but probably weakens it and makes it more prone to infections. Removal of the inner (dark) layer,