First described by the French botanist Auguste de Saint-Hilaire in 1823, Simaba suaveolens occupies a specific ecological niche in southeastern Brazil. This species is endemic to the state of Minas Gerais, where it forms part of the regional flora.
It belongs to the family Simaroubaceae, a group recognized for its bitter compounds. The plant plays a role in the complex biodiversity of its native subtropical habitats.
The plant grows as a small evergreen shrub or a low tree with dense wood. The bark of the branches has a characteristic grayish tint and contains bitter extracts. The leaves are arranged alternately; they are pinnately compound, consisting of several pairs of dense, leathery leaflets with entire margins.
Small greenish-white or yellowish flowers are gathered in large terminal panicles. They exude a pleasant, sweetish aroma, which is reflected in the specific epithet suaveolens. In place of the pollinated flowers, dense, elongated drupes form, containing oily seeds.
The history and naming of this species highlight its unique place in botanical literature:
Simaba trichilioides
A tropical woody plant of the Simaroubaceae family, native to the Cerrado and forest regions …
Simaba cedron
A small tropical tree native to Central and South America, famous for its bitter seeds …
Simaba guianensis
A toxic Neotropical woody plant species within the Simaroubaceae family, notable for its diverse subspecies …
Simaba floribunda
Simaba floribunda is a wild woody shrub native to the Atlantic forests and coastal restingas …