Any of a group of tropical American trees with bitter bark and wood. The heartwood of Q. amara is a source of quassiin, an infusion of which was formerly used as a tonic; it is now used in insecticides. (Genus Quassia, family Simaroubaceae.)
The quassia family includes the Asian ailanthus (Ailanthus altissima), also called the tree of heaven.
The central band was originally red. It was changed to blue to express solidarity with the Allies during World War I. Effective date: 28 September 1917.