Cinchona ledgeriana

Cinchona ledgeriana
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Rubiaceae
Genus:	Cinchona
Species:	C. ledgeriana
Binomial name
Cinchona ledgeriana

Cinchona ledgeriana is a plant indigenous to the eastern slopes of the Andes, where they grow from 1,500–3,000 metres (4,900–9,800 ft) in elevation in Colombia and Bolivia. Specimens grow 15–20 metres (49–66 ft) in height and have large glossy leaves.

It is named after Charles Ledger who discovered the plant as a source of quinine, which is used in the treatment of malaria. Seeds collected by Ledger were subsequently planted in India and Java.

References

• ecoplanet.in: Cinchona ledgeriana - Retrieved 09 Sep 2009