In Belize Thevetia ahouai is sometimes called “dog balls” or “grandfathers balls”. Thevetia ahouai is a small tree or shrub, growing up to eight meters in height with a smooth greyish bark. In Panama this species can be found growing in the lowlands in dry to humid tropical areas, where it is commonly seen as secondary-growth vegetation. It naturally occurs from Mexico to Colombia and Venezuela. In Panama it can be found pretty much throughout the country. It is an unusual and rare Maya Medicine flowering shrub which is even rare in cultivation. It is well suited to being used as a container plant. It is native to tropical America. It bears cream-colored or yellow flowers. It can be easily grown from seed and will do well in tropical regions. Traditional healers in Belize and other parts of Central America have used the milky, latex-like sap of this plant for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The species can be used as an ornamental, bright yellow flowers give off a subtle scent. Bright red fruit are interesting. When cut the leaves and bark exude a milky white sap which can cause irritation when coming in contact with the skin. The fruit can be used as poison. The plant must have additional significant ethnobotanical uses.