Piscidia Species, Fish Poison Tree, Jamaica Dogwood, May Bush

Piscidiapiscipula

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Piscidia (pis-SEE-duh)
Synonym
Erythrina piscipula
Ichthyomethia communis
Ichthyomethia piscipula
Piscidia erythrina
Piscidia inebrians
Sun Exposure
Light Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
over 40 ft. (12 m)
Spacing
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
Lavender
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Trees
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Big Pine Key, Florida

Homestead, Florida(2 reports)

Key Largo, Florida

Key West, Florida(2 reports)

Marathon, Florida

Miami, Florida

Summerland Key, Florida(2 reports)

Tavernier, Florida

Venice, Florida

Vero Beach, Florida

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
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F
Lutz, FL | December 2003 | positive

The sap and bruised bark from this tree helps relax smooth muscles in the body. Good for stomach cramps and menstrual cramps. My grandmot...Read More

T
T
Murfreesboro, TN (Zone 7a) | March 2003 | neutral

A slow-growing hardwood tree, various parts of it (bark, branches, leaves) were used by native Carribean fishermen to poison or stupefy f...Read More

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