Cinchona micrantha

Cinchona micrantha also goes by the name huannco. This evergreen tree belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Kew gives eastern Peru as its native range. Other plant sources give a wider range in western South America. They list Bolivia and Ecuador as well as Peru. The tree grows in a wet tropical climate. People also grow it in tropical lands outside its native range.

Huannco can grow as a shrub or a small tree. Garden sources give its height as about 26 feet [8 metres]. Plants For A Future gives the same size for its spread. That source says it grows at a medium rate. It keeps its leaves all year. The supplied sources do not describe the shape of its leaves. Nor do they describe its bark texture, flowers, or fruit. The bark has more well-documented uses than the tree's garden display.

This tree needs warmth, damp air, and soil that drains well. Keep the soil moist; do not let it dry out. It grows in full sun or part shade. Sandy soil and loam both suit it. Plants For A Future lists soils from slightly acid to slightly alkaline. It gives USDA zones 10–12 for growth outdoors. The growing notes favour warmth above about 59°F [15°C]. Growers can start plants from seed. They can also take softwood nodal cuttings, which include a stem joint. Half-ripe cuttings grown in sandy soil are a further way to grow plants.

Peoples of South America have long used the bark for fevers and malaria. It holds quinine and quinidine. These two alkaloids act as drugs. Quinine treats malaria. Quinidine can slow the heart. People make bark powders, tablets, tinctures, and liquid extracts. Past demand led people to strip much bark from wild trees. Growers later set up tree farms in Java. During the twentieth century, man-made drugs took over much quinine use. Later, some malaria resisted drugs, making quinine more important in medicine again.

Quinine from the bark gives tonic water its bitter taste. Makers use it in other fizzy drinks too. Plants For A Future lists inner bark as the edible part. This means use as an extracted flavouring, not eating bark without limits. Large amounts can cause headaches, dizzy spells, and loss of hearing. People have also put ground bark in tooth powders. Its astringent action helps draw tissues tight. The supplied sources name no pests or diseases for this species. Plants For A Future does not flag it as weedy.