Published in Willd. ex Zucc. (n.d.). In: Denkschr. Königl. Akad. Wiss. München 9: 174 (1823-1824 Publ. 1825).
The native range of this species is Tropical America. It is a subshrub or shrub and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome. It is used as a poison and a medicine and for food.