Cinchona refers to a genus of tropical trees and shrubs belonging to the family Rubiaceae. The most well-known species within this genus is Cinchona officinalis, which is native to South America and is notable for its bark that contains alkaloids, including quinine. Quinine has significant medicinal properties, particularly in the treatment of malaria. The term “cinchona” is often used to describe the bark itself, which has historically been used as a source of quinine and other compounds.
