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Jamaican Dogwood Flower Wikimedia Commons
Fabaceae

Jamaican Dogwood Flower

Piscidia piscipula

Natural power and resourcefulness.

Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Piscidia
Native to
Caribbean, Central America, Florida, Mexico
Bloom season
Spring
Type
deciduous tree
Height
500-1500 cm
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, limestone-based
Water
low to moderate
Hardiness
10-12
Lifespan
perennial

Did you know

  • The genus name Piscidia and species name piscipula both reference fish, as the bark was used to stun fish for easy capture.
  • Jamaican dogwood contains rotenone and other compounds that temporarily paralyze fish without making them toxic to eat.
  • The tree flowers prolifically before its leaves emerge, creating a stunning display of blossoms on bare branches.
  • In herbal medicine, the bark is used as a natural sedative and pain reliever, sometimes called 'nature's aspirin.'
  • Despite its common name, it is not related to true dogwoods (Cornus) but belongs to the legume family.

Color meanings

0

power

1

resourcefulness

2

calm

Uses

  • traditional fish stunning
  • herbal medicine
  • timber
  • ornamental
  • shade tree