Haplophyton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Haplophyton |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Apocynaceae |
| Subfamily: | Rauvolfioideae |
| Tribe: | Aspidospermateae |
| Genus: | Haplophyton A.DC |
Haplophyton is a cool plant that was first discovered in 1844. It grows naturally in the southwestern United States, Mexico, Cuba, and Guatemala. This plant is a bit like a small shrub, and it has leaves that grow one at a time along its stem. It also has pretty, colorful flowers!
The Cockroach Plant
The most interesting thing about Haplophyton is its common name: cockroach plant. In some places, it's called hierba de la cucaracha, which means "cockroach herb" in Spanish. It got this name because it can help get rid of insects!
People have used this plant for a long time to fight off many pests. It can help kill cockroaches, fleas, flies, lice, and even mosquitoes. The plant's leaves and sap (the liquid inside the plant) contain special chemicals. These chemicals act like natural insect killers. One important chemical found in Haplophyton is called aspidophytine.
Types of Haplophyton
Scientists sometimes disagree on how many different types, or species, of Haplophyton there are. Some think there are three species, while others believe there are only two. This is because one species, H. cinereum, is sometimes considered the same as H. cimicidum.
The most widely accepted list of species includes:
- Haplophyton cimicidum A.DC. (also known as H. cinereum (A.Rich.) Woodson) - You can find this plant in Michoacán, Puebla, Morelos, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Guatemala. It has also started growing naturally in Cuba.
- Haplophyton crooksii (L.D.Benson) L.D.Benson - This species grows in southern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, western Texas, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Cuba.
See also
In Spanish: Haplophyton para niños
