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,
Jesuit's bark came to Spain in 1643 while procurator of the Peruvian province of his order, proceeded through France (there is an alleged cure of the young Louis XIV, when still dauphin, effected by Father Tafur by means of Peruvian bark), and thence to Italy as far as Rome. The celebrated Jesuit theologian John de Lugo, who became a cardinal in 1643, learned about the cinchona from Tafur, and remained from 1643 until his death in 1660 its faithful advocate, zealous defender, and generous, disinterested dispenser in Italy and the rest of Europe, for which he was honoured in the appellation of