Fishpoison tree, also commonly called Jamaica dogwood and fishfuddle, grows abundantly in coastal areas, including coastal hammocks and mangroves, throughout its range. This tree is native to South Florida, the Keys, Texas, West Indies, and Latin America.

The yellow-brown wood of the fishpoison tree is valued for its use as fuel and charcoal. The wood is close-grained, heavy, hard, durable, and holds up well against moisture and rot. As a result of these properties, the wood is known as

a good wood carving material and is used to make boat timbers, fence posts, and poles.

The pea-like flowers appear in clusters in May. They are white, tinged with red or pink, and are a favorite of bees.

West Indies Indians were the first to use an extract from the bark, roots, twigs, and leaves to sedate fish, making them easier to catch in the fishermen's nets or by hand. This practice gives the tree its common names of fishpoison and fishfuddle. The practice of using the tree extracts as a fish poison is against the law in Florida. The extract has the same calming effect as people as it does on fish, and the extract from the bitter tasting bark has been used medicinally to relieve pain such as headaches and toothaches, and as treatments for insomnia and anxiety.

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