Haplophyton
| Haplophyton | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Subfamily: | Rauvolfioideae |
| Tribe: | Alstonieae |
| Genus: | Haplophyton A.DC |
Haplophyton (cockroach plant) is a plant genus in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1844. It is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Cuba, and Guatemala.[1][2] It is a suffrutescent herb with alternative leaves and showy colorful flowers.[3]
The common name "cockroach plant" (or "hierba de la cucaracha") in reference to its insecticidal properties. It has been used to kill roaches, fleas, flies, lice and mosquitoes.[4] Leaf extracts and sap contain many insecticidal compounds — such as the indole alkaloid aspidophytine.
- Species
Some authors accept 3 species in the genus, others recognize 2, considering H. cinereum synonymous with H. cimicidum. The World Checklist recognizes:
- Haplophyton cimicidum A.DC. (syn H. cinereum (A.Rich.) Woodson) - Michoacán, Puebla, Morelos, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guatemala; naturalized in Cuba
- Haplophyton crooksii (L.D.Benson) L.D.Benson - S Arizona, SW New Mexico, W Texas, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Cuba
References
- ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ↑ Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution map, Haplophyton crooksii
- ↑ Williams, J. K. 1995. Miscellaneous notes on Haplophyton (Apocynaceae: Plumerieae: Haplophytinae). Sida 16(3): 469–475
- ↑ McLaughlin, S.P. 1993. Apocynaceae A.L. Juss., Dogbane Family. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science 27:164-168.
External links
- Texas Native Plants Database
Data related to Haplophyton at Wikispecies
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