Jamaican Dogwood, Fish Poison Tree, Dogwood, fishpoison tree

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 7 min read

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Article Summary

Native to Central America, the West Indies and Florida, it could also be found in Texas, Mexico and the Northern part of South America. Other common names for Jamaican Dogwood are Fish Poison Tree, Dogwood, Jamaican dogwood, Florida fish poison tree, Fishfuddle, dogwood, Fish Fuddle Tree, Fish Poison, Fish-fuddle tree, Guam, ha’bin, May Bush and Maytree of the Creoles. Botanically called Piscida piscipula, Jamaican dogwood...

Key Takeaways

This article explains Facts of Jamaican Dogwood in simple medical language.
This article explains Jamaican Dogwood Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Botanically called Piscida piscipula, Jamaican dogwood is a deciduous tree that grows from 12 to 15 meters in height and diameter of 46 to 118 cm. The tree has strong and vertical branches. The alternate leaves are pinnately compound and is 9-23 cm long. Each leaf possesses 11 leaflets of 4-8 cm long which is dark green on the upper surface and paler greenish to grey on the lower surface. Flowers are white with a touch of red or pink that blooms in May. The flower turns into a pod or legume with four papery wings. The plant prefers well-drained soils and is able to tolerate drought conditions. It can be propagated by cuttings or seeds. Jamaican dogwood bears attractive flowers when they are grown in suitable climate and soils.

Facts of Jamaican Dogwood

Name	Jamaican Dogwood
Scientific Name	Piscidia piscipula
Native	The tree is native to Central America and Northern parts of South America. It is commonly found in Southern Florida, Southern Mexico and Antilles.
Common/English Name	Fish Poison Tree, Dogwood, Jamaican dogwood, Florida fishpoison tree, Fishfuddle, dogwood, Fish Fuddle Tree, Fish Poison, Fish-fuddle tree, Guam, ha’bin, May Bush, Maytree of the Creoles
Name in Other Languages	French: Bois Ivrant; English: Dogwood, Fish Poison, Fish Poison Tree, Fish-fuddle tree, Florida fishpoison tree, Jamaica Dogwood, Jamaica-dogwood, Jamaican-dogwood, May Bush; Finnish: Jamaikanunipalko; French: Bois nivre
Plant Growth Habit	Perennial, deciduous
Soil	Well-drained
Plant Size	15 m high, diameter: 46 to 118 cm
Bark	3 to 6 mm thick, dark gray to brown
Stem	Erect or ascending, 2 m tall
Leaf	Compound, alternate, petiolate
Flower	Blue to white
Fruit shape & size	Elongate, oblong or ellipsoidal
Taste	Bitter, acrid
Plant parts used	Root bark
Seed	Reniform, olive, black, brown

Jamaican Dogwood Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Piscidia piscipula

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Viridiplantae
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (Land plants)
Superdivision	Embryophyta
Division	Tracheophyta (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Fabales
Family	Fabaceae (Peas, legumes)
Genus	Piscidia L.
Species	Piscidia piscipula (L.) Sarg. (Florida fishpoison tree, Jamaican-dogwood, Fish-fuddle tree)
Synonyms	Erythrina piscipula L. Ichthyomethia communis S.F.Blake Ichthyomethia piscipula (L.) Hitchc. Ichthyomethia piscipula (L.) Hitchc. ex Sarg. Ichthyomethia piscipula var. typica Stehle & L.Quentin Piscidia communis (S.F.Blake) Harms Piscidia erythrina L. Piscidia inebrians Medik. Piscidia toxicaria Salisb. Piscipula erythrina (L.) Loefl. Robinia alata Mill. Piscidia piscipula Erythrina piscipula Piscidia ichtyomethia

Plant

The tree grows up to 15 m in height with compound leaves. It has dark gray to brown bark with thin, longitudinal, and transverse ridges. A bark is 3-6 mm thick and is somewhat fissured, wrinkled and roughish. A bark has a distinct acrid and bitter taste and unpleasant odor which causes burning sensation in the mouth. The plant bears blue to white flowers with white stripes which give way to pods with four longitudinal wings.

Leaves

Leaves are pinnately compound, alternate and 9-23 cm long. It has 5 to 9 opposite leaflets. Leaflets are paler grayish to green below and dark green above.

Flowers and Fruit

Flowers are white and are tinged with pink or red which appears in pea-like clusters. The tree flowers only when it reaches to 4 m tall. Then flowers develop into bean-like pod that is light brown with four papery wings. The pod measures about 8-10 cm long and ripens from July to August. The pod possesses red to brown seeds in an oval shape.

Traditional uses

Jamaican Dogwood is used as a treatment for pain, nausea, or light sensitivity. সহজ বাংলা: বারবার হওয়া বিশেষ ধরনের মাথাব্যথা।" data-rx-term="migraine" data-rx-definition="Migraine is a recurring headache disorder often with throbbing pain, nausea, or light sensitivity. সহজ বাংলা: বারবার হওয়া বিশেষ ধরনের মাথাব্যথা।">migraine, neuralgia, dysmenorrhea, insomnia caused due to nervous tension and neuralgia.
It is useful for fear, anxiety and as a daytime sedative.
In French Guiana Galini, it is used as an pain-relieving medicine. সহজ বাংলা: ব্যথানাশক ওষুধ।" data-rx-term="analgesic" data-rx-definition="An analgesic is a pain-relieving medicine. সহজ বাংলা: ব্যথানাশক ওষুধ।">analgesic for neuralgia, toothache and calms soporific for insomnia.
It is used to treat pain, nausea, or light sensitivity. সহজ বাংলা: বারবার হওয়া বিশেষ ধরনের মাথাব্যথা।" data-rx-term="migraine" data-rx-definition="Migraine is a recurring headache disorder often with throbbing pain, nausea, or light sensitivity. সহজ বাংলা: বারবার হওয়া বিশেষ ধরনের মাথাব্যথা।">migraine and nerve pain.
The herbs possess sweat promoting and pain-relieving properties.
It is used to provide relief from smooth muscle spasms on the digestive tract.
The plant is used as an aid for nervous breakdown, toothaches, dysmenorrhea and menstrual cramps.
A decoction made from bark is used to provide relief from whooping cough and cough.
Use as an external wash for skin problems.
It is used to provide relief from pain, promote sleep, relieve cough, lower muscle spasms, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation and fever.

Precautions

Avoid during pregnancy and also by lactation women.
Overdose causes tremors, numbness, sweating and salivation. Seek for medical attention if experienced these symptoms.
Use Jamaican Dogwood with caution.
Use it under the supervision of health practitioner.
Not recommended for children.
This herb might interact with supplements, other herbs and medications.
The elder people should also avoid it.
Side effects such as nausea, gastric distress and depression might be experienced.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Drink safe fluids and monitor temperature.
In dengue-prone areas, discuss CBC and platelet count when fever persists or warning signs appear.
Use tepid sponging for high fever discomfort; avoid ice-cold bathing.

OTC medicine safety

For fever, common fever medicine may be discussed with a clinician or pharmacist.
Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen-like medicines in suspected dengue unless a doctor says it is safe.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Fever with breathing difficulty, confusion, repeated vomiting, bleeding, severe weakness, stiff neck, or dehydration needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Medicine doctor / pediatrician for children / qualified clinician

Tests to discuss with doctor

Temperature chart and hydration assessment
CBC with platelet count if fever persists or dengue/other infection is possible
Urine test, malaria/dengue tests, chest evaluation, or blood culture only when clinically indicated

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
Do I need antibiotics, or is this more likely viral?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.