[3] The native Taino of the West Indies discovered that extracts from the tree could sedate fish, allowing them to be caught by hand.

Its sensitivity to the cold limits Florida fishpoison tree to areas no colder than plant hardiness zone 11.

Stem bark is thin and olive gray in color with irregular dark patches and many smaller scales.

[3] The bark has an unpleasant odor and a distinctly acrid and bitter taste, causing a burning sensation in the mouth.

After removal from the ripe pod, seeds germinate in 8 to 10 days when sown about 6 mm deep in moist soil.

The yellow-brown wood of fishpoison tree is resistant to decay, making its timber suitable for outdoor usage, such as boat building, fence posts, and poles.

[8] Within its natural range, the Taino and other native tribes used an extract from the bark, roots, twigs, and leaves of Florida fishpoison tree to sedate fish, making them easier to catch.

[11] Recent scientific studies in animals suggest that bark extracts may have potential for their anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antispasmodic effects.