SAEDNEWS: The Manchineel tree, also known as the "little apple of death," is extremely dangerous. Consuming its fruit can be fatal.
According to SaedNews, while it's hard to imagine plants as serious threats, there is one tree that seems particularly ruthless.
The Manchineel tree, listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's most dangerous tree, can cause chemical burns from its bark, and its sap can make standing near it during rain hazardous. The tree's fruit, known as the "apple of death," can be lethal if consumed. This tree is native to Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Florida.
Although the fruit is now often referred to as the "beach apple," the story of what happened to a radiologist who ate it underscores that "apple of death" is a more fitting name. In a 2000 article, Nicola Strickland writes with admirable honesty:
"I took an unthinking bite of the fruit and found it sweet and pleasant. At my suggestion, my friend also ate some. Moments later, we experienced a strange peppery feeling in our mouths, which gradually turned into a burning and tightening sensation in our throats. The symptoms worsened over a few hours to the point where we could hardly swallow solid food due to the severe pain and the feeling of a massive obstruction in our throats. The pain from consuming the toxic fruit was exacerbated by alcoholic drinks, but drinks like piña colada were somewhat better, and the most relief came from drinking milk."
What happened to Strickland and her friend could have been much worse; eating the Manchineel fruit can cause decreased heart rate, severe throat swelling, gastrointestinal bleeding, and even death. It is believed that these severe reactions are due to phorbol esters found in the tree's sap and fruit. Clearly, not all apples are beneficial for health.
The danger of the Manchineel tree isn't limited to eating its fruit. It can harm you even without direct contact.
A 2011 article describes an incident where a group of students took shelter under a Manchineel tree on Bequia Island in the West Indies during a rainstorm. They suffered from skin and eye inflammation.
The real danger of the Manchineel tree is that its appearance gives no indication of its toxicity or danger, leading people to unknowingly approach the tree or eat its fruit.
Strickland notes that adults may be more aware of its dangers, but children, attracted by the fruit's appearance and taste, may eat it.
If you ever find yourself in the habitat of the Manchineel tree and want to enjoy a rainy day, be cautious to avoid spoiling the experience by taking shelter under this tree.
