What is "haplophyton"

Haplophyton (cockroach plant) is a plant genus in the family Apocynaceae, first described as a genus in 1844. It is native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, Cuba, and Guatemala. It is a suffrutescent herb with alternative leaves and showy colorful flowers.

The common name "cockroach plant" (or "hierba de la cucaracha") in reference to its insecticidal properties. It has been used to kill roaches, fleas, flies, lice and mosquitoes. Leaf extracts and sap contain many insecticidal compounds — such as the indole alkaloid aspidophytine.

Some authors accept 3 species in the genus, others recognize 2, considering H. cinereum synonymous with H. cimicidum. The World Checklist recognizes:

1. Haplophyton cimicidum A.DC. (syn H. cinereum (A.Rich.) Woodson) - Michoacán, Puebla, Morelos, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guatemala; naturalized in Cuba
2. Haplophyton crooksii (L.D.Benson) L.D.Benson - S Arizona, SW New Mexico, W Texas, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Cuba