Only in Florida?
Snowbirds headed south for the winter months may want to be aware of the manchineel tree — a shrub so dangerous that even standing beneath its branches could be fatal.
The tree — sometimes referred to as the “beach apple” or the “poison guava” — is found in Florida, but sun-lovers should absolutely avoid seeking its shade.
The manchineel, which is also found in parts of Central America and the Caribbean, has been dubbed by the Guinness World Records as “the world’s most dangerous tree” because it is covered in a toxic white sap.
The sap is found on both the tree’s 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.
Unassuming visitors to Florida may think the manchineel’s fruit looks harmless, but just one bite could be killer.
According to AccuWeather, the fruit looks and smells like a crabapple, “but if eaten the sweet taste quickly dissipates, turning peppery before the toxins close the throat.”
Even if an eater doesn’t suffer from asphyxiation, other side effects are likely to occur. They include “abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding and digestive tract damage,” according to TreeHugger.
Standing under a manchineel could also be disastrous. During a rainstorm, for instance, raindrops mix with the tree’s toxic sap and drip on a person’s skin, causing burns.
And don’t dare go near a manchineel if it’s on fire. Smoke from the tree is so toxic that it can cause blindness, Guinness World Records claims.
The Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences goes as far as to say that “interaction with and ingestion of any part of the tree may be lethal.” The organization has erected giant signs in areas where manchineel trees are located.
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.
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“Although the fruit is potentially fatal if eaten, no such occurrences have been reported in the modern literature. Ingestion can produce severe gastroenteritis with bleeding, shock, and bacterial superinfection, as well as the potential for airway compromise due to edema.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchineel
We need better signage for the trees that we have in Antigua.
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