Aceituno
Simarouba amara
Native Region
Central and South America, Caribbean
Max Height
25-35 meters
Family
Simaroubaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-1000m
Regions
- Guanacaste
- Puntarenas
- Alajuela
- Limón
- San José
- Heredia
Season
Flowering
Mar-May
Fruiting
May-Aug
Aceituno
The Aceituno (Simarouba amara), also known as Paradise Tree or Bitterwood, is a remarkable fast-growing rainforest tree valued across the Americas for its potent medicinal properties, lightweight wood, and oil-rich seeds. Indigenous peoples have used its bitter bark for centuries to treat fevers, parasites, and digestive ailments.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Simarouba amara
- Family
- Simaroubaceae (Quassia)
- Max Height
- 25-35 m
- Flowering
- March-May
- Conservation
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Habitat
- Lowland wet and dry forests
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
410
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's citizen science database. View all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
Geographic Distribution
Geographic Distribution
Where to Find Aceituno in Costa Rica
Primary Habitats:
- Guanacaste lowlands — Dry and moist forests
- Nicoya Peninsula — Seasonal forests
- Caribbean lowlands — Wet forests
- Central Pacific — Mixed forests
Elevation: Sea level to ~1,000 m
Habitat & Ecology
Ecological Role
Aceituno plays multiple ecological roles:
- Pioneer species — Colonizes disturbed areas
- Forest restoration — Rapid canopy establishment
- Wildlife food — Fruits eaten by many birds
- Soil improvement — Rapid leaf litter cycling
- Shade provider — Creates understory conditions
Wildlife Associations
Animals attracted to Aceituno:
- Toucans — Primary fruit dispersers
- Trogons — Fruit consumers
- Tanagers — Frequent visitors
- Bats — Nocturnal dispersal
- Monkeys — Occasional consumers
Aceituno is classified as a light-demanding pioneer species, meaning it rapidly colonizes gaps and disturbed areas. This trait makes it invaluable for reforestation—it quickly creates shade that allows slower-growing, shade-tolerant species to establish underneath.
Botanical Description
Aceituno develops a well-formed trunk and symmetrical crown, making it an attractive shade tree. The tree often develops small buttresses at the base on larger specimens.
Wood Properties
Appearance
Physical Properties
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 350-420 kg/m³ | Very light wood |
| Grain | Straight | Excellent workability |
| Texture | Fine to medium | Good surface finish |
| Durability | Moderate | Naturally insect resistant |
Despite being a soft, lightweight wood, Aceituno is naturally resistant to termites and other insects thanks to its bitter quassinoid compounds. This makes it more durable than its density would suggest.
Uses
Traditional and modern applications:
- Antimalarial — Traditional fever treatment
- Antiparasitic — Intestinal worms
- Digestive aid — Stomach complaints
- Antidiarrheal — Traditional remedy
- Dysentery treatment — Historical use
Modern research has validated many traditional uses. Quassinoids from Simarouba show promising antimalarial, anticancer, and antiparasitic properties in laboratory studies.
Conservation Status
Conservation Status: Stable
Aceituno populations are healthy:
- IUCN: Least Concern
- Wide distribution — Large natural range
- Pioneer species — Regenerates easily
- Cultivation increasing — Agroforestry adoption
- Multiple uses — Economic incentive to plant
| Factor | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IUCN Status | ✅ Least Concern | Populations stable |
| Costa Rica | ✅ Common | Wide distribution |
| Reforestation | ✅ Increasing | Popular choice |
| Cultivation | 🔶 Growing | Agroforestry interest |
Growing Aceituno
From Seed:
- Collect ripe purple-black fruits
- Remove pulp from seeds
- Plant fresh (best germination)
- Can store seeds briefly if dried
- Germination in 2-4 weeks
Aceituno germinates readily and grows quickly—often reaching 2-3 meters in the first year under good conditions. This makes it excellent for rapid reforestation.
Similar Species
Where to See Aceituno Trees
Best Locations in Costa Rica
Protected Areas:
- Santa Rosa National Park — Dry forest specimens
- Guanacaste Conservation Area — Various habitats
- Carara National Park — Transitional forest
- La Selva Biological Station — Research plots
Tips:
- Look for compound leaves with many leaflets
- Taste bark (tiny piece) for bitter confirmation
- Fruiting season (May-August) aids identification
- Common in secondary forests and edges
External Resources
Community observations, photos, and distribution data
Global observations
Detailed cultivation and use information
Ferns Info
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Polonsky, J. (1985). Quassinoid bitter principles II. Fortschritte der Chemie organischer Naturstoffe 47: 221-264
Arriaga, F.J. et al. (2005). Properties and potential uses of Simarouba amara. Forest Products Journal 55(7): 62-67
The Aceituno (Simarouba amara) exemplifies how nature's pharmacy and sustainable forestry can work together. Its intensely bitter bark has healed people across the Americas for centuries, while its fast growth and adaptability make it a champion for reforestation. As interest grows in its oil-rich seeds for biofuel, this humble pioneer tree may play an even larger role in sustainable land use.
🌳 ¡Pura Vida!
