Haplophyton | |
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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.
Some authors accept three species in the genus, others recognize two, considering H. cinereum synonymous with H. cimicidum. The World Checklist recognizes: