This native tropical tree is Fish Poison, Piscidia carthagenensis. It belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae, and occurs naturally from Mexico and the Caribbean through Central America into northern South America. It is one of several plants in the genus Piscidia traditionally associated with fishing practices.

The tree usually develops a broad, irregular crown and may grow as a large shrub or medium-sized tree. Its leaves are compound, with several oval leaflets arranged along a central stalk. The undersides of the leaflets are often paler than the upper surfaces.

The flowers have the familiar pea-like form of the legume family. They are usually pale pink, lavender or whitish and are produced in branching clusters. When many flowers open together, they can give the crown a soft wash of color and attract bees and other insects.

After flowering, the tree produces flattened, winged seed pods. These pods are broader along their edges than through the center and become dry and brown as they mature. The winged shape helps distinguish the tree from many other native legumes.

The common name “Fish Poison” comes from the traditional use of crushed bark, roots or other plant material to stun fish in enclosed or slow-moving water. Compounds released into the water interfere with the fishes’ ability to function, causing them to rise where they can be collected. The genus Piscidia itself is named for this association with fish poisoning.

This practice does not mean that the plant is harmless to people. Its tissues contain biologically active compounds and should not be tasted or used without expert knowledge. Traditional fish-poisoning methods may also be illegal or environmentally damaging because they can affect many aquatic organisms, not only the intended catch.

The tree has also been used locally for timber, fuel and traditional medicine. Its wood can be strong and useful, while its flowers provide resources for pollinating insects.

Fish Poison is therefore a tree whose common name preserves a piece of ethnobotanical history. Its compound leaves, pea-like flowers and winged pods identify it botanically, while its traditional use shows how closely Caribbean communities once understood and used the chemical properties of native plants.

It is a good reminder that plants can influence animals in powerful ways—and that knowledge of those effects can be both useful and dangerous.