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| Arizona Cockroach, Hierba de la Cucaracha, Raiz de la Cucaracha, Atempatli, Actimpatli Haplophyton cimicidum (H. crooksii) Apocynaceae Arizona cockroach plant is a small shrub to about 2 and a half feet high with slender stems that are herbaceous above and woody toward the base. The small linear leaves are dull green above and paler below, with short, white, scattered hairs. It is native to rocky slopes and canyons in the Trans-Pecos and Arizona and New Mexico. The showy, bright yellow flowers appear from July to October, followed by long slender follicles containing black seeds. The plant superficially resembles Menodora species. In the same family as oleander and milkweed, Arizona cockroach plant has a milky sap that when mixed with molasses has been used as a cockroach poison, or as lotion or infusion to repel mosquitos and fleas. Plant Habit or Use: small shrub Exposure: sun Flower Color: yellow
Blooming Period: summer Fruit Characteristics: long, slender follicle Height: to 2. 5 feet Width: to 2 feet Plant Character: deciduous Heat Tolerance: high Water Requirements: Soil Requirements: adaptable Additional Comments:
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