Genus Piscidia is a plant genus that includes small trees and shrubs, commonly known as fish poison or Jamaica dogwood. The plants are native to the Caribbean and Central America. Fish poison is derived from the bark or seed pods of the tree and historically has been used as a means for fishing. There are several synonyms for the genus Piscidia, including Dipholis, Metopium, and Ovalisia. These alternatives often reflect taxonomic changes made over time. For instance, in 1762, the genus name Ovalisia was coined. However, it was later merged with the Piscidia genus in 2001. Understanding these synonyms is important for researchers and botanists studying this plant family.