| 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.
