Lonchocarpus violaceus
COMMON NAME | West Indian lilac,
Spanish ash, and lancepod |
TYPE | Tree |
FAMILY | Fabaceae |
NOTES | Evergreen tree with a
fast-growing, dense canopy. Produces lilac-fragrant, lavender, showy flowers
during the late summer/fall. Produces long, slender, seed pods. Typically
25-35ft in height. The leaves are
reported to contain high concentrations of the poison Rotenone, a commonly
used organic insecticide. They have a history of use by native people as a
fish poison and are a potential source of compounds for the manufacture of
Biopesticides. |
GEOGRAPHIC REGION | Eastern Caribbean and northern parts
of South America |
NATIVE HABITAT | Dry limestone hills.
Forests in calcareous soils with outcropping rocks |
WEB SOURCES |
