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Glite Dictionary
🌳 A tropical plant 🌳 A plant genus
Piscidia

Piscidia

9.9
A tropical shrub or small tree with pods that contain black seeds and bark used to poison fish
  • noun
  • /pɪˈsɪdiə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Piscidia
  • The bark of Piscidia has traditionally been used by indigenous people as a natural fish poison.

Examples

  • Botanists recently identified several new species within the Piscidia genus in Central America.

  • The Piscidia tree is also valued for its medicinal properties in some herbal traditions.

  • The Piscidia tree is known for its unique pods.

  • Many fishermen use Piscidia bark to catch fish.

  • The bark of Piscidia is commonly used by local fishermen to create fish poisons for their catch.

  • Many cultures have used Piscidia roots as a traditional remedy for various ailments.

  • Scientists are studying the Piscidia genus to discover new properties of its unique seeds.

Compounds

Piscidia erythrina
  • Specialized
9.9

A small tree from the Caribbean and Florida with red-striped flowers and winged seedpods used to make fish poison

Piscidia piscipula
  • Specialized
9.9

A small Caribbean and Florida tree with divided leaves, purple flowers, and seedpods used to stun fish

Surface Forms

Piscidia singular
Piscidias plural

Etymology

Piscidia comes from Latin parts piscis ('fish') and -cida ('killer'), the same '-cide' you see in insecticide or homicide. So, Piscidia literally means 'fish killer', which fits the tree because its bark and roots were used as a natural fish poison.