Cojón de Perro is a commonly used Maya remedy for botfly (beefworm) infestation in tropical locals (and visitors who use local medicinal treatments). As in other members of the Apocynaceae, it exudes a white latex when a leaf is removed. The tip of a leaf petiole with its latex exudate is touched to the botfly breathing pore and the developing larva dies of suffocation.

They may grow to 6 m tall, but one is most award of 1 m plants alongside trails.