The Tree of Death also known as Mancenilheira da Praia or Manzanilla da Areia is one of the deadliest trees in the world, because all parts of this plant, especially its fruits, are poisonous and can cause burns, blindness, respiratory problems or death.
The scientific name of this tree is Hippomane mancinella, and it grows in South America and North America, from the coast of Florida to Colombia in areas of beach, and its presence is often signaled with warning signs or with red crosses that signify death and eminent danger. So, in order to protect yourself from this lethal plant that has already entered the book of records, it is necessary to know its dangers well, which include:
Dangers of the Tree of Death
1. Poisonous Frenzy
The fruits of this plant, although similar to apples and have a pleasant smell and taste, are extremely toxic, causing pain and burning in the mouth and throat, even when ingested in small amounts.
In some situations the ingestion of these fruits can lead to death, believing that a single fruit can cause the death of 20 people.
It is therefore important not to eat fruits of trees that you do not know or do not know where they come from, especially if they are small and green, very similar to a small English apple, which grows on larger trees and different from the apple tree.
In case of accidental ingestion of the fruit, it is important to seek medical help quickly, so that the fruit remains can be eliminated from the body before being absorbed.
2. Toxic sap
The sap of this tree as well as being poisonous, is also extremely toxic and corrosive to the skin, because when put in contact with the skin can cause severe reactions of allergy, redness, irritation, swelling, blisters or severe burns.
To protect yourself from the sap of this plant, you should not touch or get near your tree trunks or leaves, or stand under the tree to protect yourself from the sun or rain. Sheltering under this tree can be dangerous because the sap can drain and burn the skin, especially on rainy or dew days, where the water ends up diluting the sap, which flows more easily and causes severe rashes on the skin.
3. Smoke that can blind
Choosing to burn this plant is also not a good idea because smoke released when inhaled is toxic and can cause blindness and serious respiratory problems. So in these situations it is best to get away from the smoke, but if this is not possible you should cover the thread with a cloth or use an oxygen mask for protection.
In addition, when it is cut the wood of this plant remains toxic, and its danger is only eliminated when the wood is dried in the sun.
How to Identify this Deadly Plant
To identify this deadly plant is important to be attentive to the characteristics of the plant, which include:
- Small fruits and greens, very similar to small English apples;
- Branched trunk and broad;
- Small leaves, oval and green.
These trees can reach 20 meters in height and are therefore attractive refuges for people to shelter from the sun and tropical rain in the beach regions.
