Pavon is a hardy tree which grows between elevations of 1,200 and 2,000 m in some parts of Annamalais and attain a heught of 18-20 meters. This species possess a remarkable ability to withstand both high humidity and drought. Its main alkaloid is cinchonidine. The total Alkolid in the root ,stem and bark is 7.6,5.5 and 3.3 per cent respectively. Most species prefer high humidity, a well- distributed rainfall of about 150 cms,and only minor variation in the maximum and minimum temperatures during their growing seasons.
All species are susceptible to frost and succumb to water-logged conditions.
Cinchona is usually propogated through seeds. The nursery is provided with partial shade and kept moist and free from weeds . 10 cm spacing. The plantation is thinned when 4 to 6 years old and thus about 50 per cent of the stock is uprooted and debarked in two years. More bark is obtained in the 8th year by coppicing when only one strong stump is allowed to grow.