{"id":141391,"date":"2021-11-11T19:02:27","date_gmt":"2021-11-11T23:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=141391"},"modified":"2021-11-11T19:02:27","modified_gmt":"2021-11-11T23:02:27","slug":"this-unassuming-tree-is-the-most-deadly-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/this-unassuming-tree-is-the-most-deadly-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"This unassuming tree is \u2018the most deadly in the world\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Only in Florida?<\/p>

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Snowbirds headed south for the winter months may want to be aware of the manchineel tree \u2014 a shrub so dangerous that even standing beneath its branches could be fatal.<\/p>\n

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The tree \u2014 sometimes referred to as the \u201cbeach apple\u201d or the \u201cpoison guava\u201d \u2014 is found in Florida, but sun-lovers should absolutely avoid seeking its shade.<\/p>

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The manchineel, which is also found in parts of Central America and the Caribbean, has been dubbed by the Guinness World Records as \u201cthe world\u2019s most dangerous tree\u201d because it is covered in a toxic white sap.<\/p>

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The sap is found on both the tree\u2019s leaves and branches, as well as on the fruit it produces. The toxins, including phorbol, are known to severely irritate the skin, causing blisters and possible closure of the airways due to swelling.<\/p>\n

Unassuming visitors to Florida may think the manchineel\u2019s fruit looks harmless, but just one bite could be killer.<\/p>

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According to AccuWeather, the fruit looks and smells like a crabapple, \u201cbut if eaten the sweet taste quickly dissipates, turning peppery before the toxins close the throat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even if an eater doesn\u2019t suffer from asphyxiation, other side effects are likely to occur. They include \u201cabdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding and digestive tract damage,\u201d according to TreeHugger.<\/p>

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Standing under a manchineel could also be disastrous. During a rainstorm, for instance, raindrops mix with the tree\u2019s toxic sap and drip on a person\u2019s skin, causing burns.<\/p>

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And don\u2019t dare go near a manchineel if it\u2019s on fire. Smoke from the tree is so toxic that it can cause blindness, Guinness World Records claims.<\/p>\n

The Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences goes as far as to say that \u201cinteraction with and ingestion of any part of the tree may be lethal.\u201d The organization has erected giant signs in areas where manchineel trees are located.<\/p>\n

However, the manchineel is not all bad. As the trees are located in coastal areas, they provide a windbreak against storms and help fight beach erosion.<\/p>\n

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Only in Florida? Snowbirds headed south for the winter months may want to be aware of the manchineel tree \u2014 a shrub so dangerous that even standing beneath its branches could be fatal. The tree \u2014 sometimes referred to as the \u201cbeach apple\u201d or the \u201cpoison guava\u201d \u2014 is found in Florida, but sun-lovers should […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":141392,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-regional"],"yoast_head":"\nThis unassuming tree is \u2018the most deadly in the world\u2019 - Antigua News Room<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/this-unassuming-tree-is-the-most-deadly-in-the-world\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"This unassuming tree is \u2018the most deadly in the world\u2019\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Only in Florida? Snowbirds headed south for the winter months may want to be aware of the manchineel tree \u2014 a shrub so dangerous that even standing beneath its branches could be fatal. 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