Fishpoison Tree, Jamaica-Dogwood, Fishfuddle

Piscidia piscipula (L.) Sarg.

piss-SID-ee-ah piss-IP-you-la

Fabaceae (Legumes)

Key to Parkinsonia

Explanation of name: Pisces are fish. Caedo means kill.  Piscipula means “little fish.”

Nomenclatural note:  The commonly applied name “Piscipula erythrina L.” is nomenclaturally illegitimate (WU2).

Natural range:   Native from South Florida and Texas to South America and the Caribbean

Recognition:  Small tree with thick pinnate leaves reminiscent of Poisonwood; white pealike flowers marked with reddish or pinkish tones; and 4-winged legume pods.  Tree with some similarities to Pongam.

Landscape uses: Attractive small native tree with pretty spring flowers attractive to bees.

Note: The durable  wood was valued for boat building, and the powdered bark once served to incapacitate fish.  Reputed to be a human sedative and an object of much interest in this connection.  Contains rotenone.

Internet sources: http://www.enature.com/fieldguides/detail.asp?recnum=TS0402

http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Fishpoison_tree/fishtree.htm