Haplophyton
Appearance
Haplophyton | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Gentianales |
Family: | Apocynaceae |
Subfamily: | Rauvolfioideae |
Tribe: | Aspidospermateae |
Genus: | Haplophyton A.DC |
Haplophyton is a genus of plants in the family Apocynaceae, first described 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) is in reference to its insecticidal properties. It has been used to kill cockroaches, fleas, flies, lice, and mosquitoes.[4] Leaf extracts and sap contain many insecticidal compounds — such as the indole alkaloid aspidophytine.
Species
[edit]Some authors accept three species in the genus, others recognize two, 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
[edit]- ^ "Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families". Apps.kew.org. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ "Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution map, Haplophyton crooksii". Retrieved 2020-10-26.
- ^ 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
[edit]Wikispecies has information related to Haplophyton.