Remijia


Remijia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. Within the family, it is a member of the subfamily Cinchonoideae and the tribe Cinchoneae.
There are about 36 species in Remijia. They are native to Peru and Brazil. Some of the species have hollow stems that harbor ants.
The bark of Remijia contains 0.5%–2% of quinine, a chemical substance often used as a medicinal drug and flavour additive in alcoholic beverages. It is cheaper than the bark of Cinchona, another source of quinine. Because of its intense flavor, the bark of Remijia is used in making tonic water.
No type species has ever been designated for Remijia. In 2005, two species were transferred from Remijia to a new genus, Ciliosemina.

Species

There are 45 recognised species: