A shrub or rarely a small tree, growing to 3 m tall (rarely 8 m). The leaves are alternate, 15-25 cm long, and pinnate with 3-5 leaflets, the leaf rachis being winged. The flowers are produced in a panicle 15-25 cm long, each flower 2.5-3.5 cm long, bright red on the outside, and white inside. The fruit is a small drupe 1-1.5 cm long.

Tonic, digestion stimulant, blood cleanser, insecticide and mild laxative.

Tropical Plant Database
Botanical.com
The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy
>Remedies

Beta-sitosterol, quassin (wood); gallic acid, malic acid (root)

For diarrhea, intestinal worms, dysentery, dyspepsia, excessive mucus, expelling worms, intestinal gas, stomachache, anemia, and liver and gastrointestinal disorders (plant); for liver and gallbladder diseases and for intestinal parasites (wood).

Not to be used during pregnancy. Men undergoing fertility treatment or those wishing to have children probably should avoid using amargo. Large amounts of amargo can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and can lead to nausea and vomiting.