Jamaican Dogwood
ExplorePlants
Jamaican Dogwood
piscidia piscipula
The Jamaican Dogwood, also known as the Florida fishpoison tree, is a hardy tropical tree belonging to the legume family. Reaching modest heights, this tree is famous for its historical and cultural role as a natural fishing aid. Indigenous peoples throughout its range discovered that crushing its bark, leaves, and twigs and tossing them into quiet waters would temporarily stun fish, allowing for an effortless harvest without ruining the meat. Beyond this fascinating chemical defense, the tree is highly valued for its incredibly durable, rot-resistant wood, which has been utilized for boat building and fence posts. During the spring, it erupts in beautiful clusters of pea-like, fragrant flowers, making it a beloved sight in dry, coastal woodlands.
Habitat: Found in dry, rocky soils, coastal hammocks, pine rocklands, and sandy coastal scrub environments.
Appearance
This medium-sized tree features a short trunk with an irregular, spreading crown and thin, gray-brown bark that breaks into scaly plates on mature trees. The compound leaves are arranged alternately, each consisting of 7 to 11 oval leaflets with a dull green top and a lighter, fuzzy underside. In spring, before the new leaves fully emerge, the tree produces dense clusters of white, pink, or lavender pea-like flowers. These are followed by distinctive, straw-colored seed pods that are uniquely adorned with four papery, wavy wings, measuring up to 10 centimeters in length.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusPiscidia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Despite its toxic effects on fish and dogs, the bark has been used in traditional herbal medicine as a sedative and analgesic for humans.
The chemical rotenone found in this tree is still used today as a biodegradable pesticide and to manage fish populations in controlled habitats.
The genus name Piscidia translates directly from Latin as fish killer, referencing its historical use as a piscicide.
Special abilities
Ability
Natural Piscicide
Produces rotenone and other toxic compounds in its bark and roots that stun fish by interfering with their oxygen uptake.
Ability
Nitrogen Fixation
Houses symbiotic rhizobia bacteria in its root nodules, allowing it to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable nutrient.
Ability
Winged Seed Dispersal
Produces four-winged seed pods that catch the wind easily, allowing seeds to glide far from the parent tree.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 600-1500 cm
- Lifespan
- 50-150 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own food through photosynthesis using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- Soil nutrients
Ecological connections
host plant
Cassius Blue Butterfly
Leptotes cassius
Larvae feed on the foliage of the Jamaican Dogwood.
eaten by
Key Deer
Odocoileus virginianus clavium
Feeds on the leaves, twigs, and young saplings.
mutualism
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Pollinates the spring flowers in exchange for nectar.
Traits
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Also known as
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Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Jamaican Dogwood?
The easiest way to identify Jamaican Dogwood is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Jamaican Dogwood?
600-1500 cm
How long does Jamaican Dogwood live?
50-150 years
What does Jamaican Dogwood eat?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own food through photosynthesis using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Where is Jamaican Dogwood usually found?
Found in dry, rocky soils, coastal hammocks, pine rocklands, and sandy coastal scrub environments.
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