The manchineel (Hippomane mancinella) holds the Guinness record for the most dangerous tree in the world.
A seductive manchineel is a “forbidden fruit”: even Christopher Columbus feared her shadow.
The manchineel tree (Hippomane left-handed) is known as the “most dangerous tree in the world”, and it’s not just for those who face it. The tree holds this ominous title for good reason.
Found in the tropical regions of the Americas and the Caribbean, the manchineel may seem harmless, but it’s a dangerfrom the root to the fruit.
Its sap, bark and sweet, forbidden fruit, often nicknamed the “death apple,” can cause horrifying harm — or worse.
The tree’s danger was first documented by Christopher Columbuswho called her “Chamomile of Death” or “little apple of death”.
Its small, green fruit may resemble a harmless apple or plum, but its consumption can have dire consequences.
In 2000, the radiologist Nicola Strickland your first experience after biting into the fruit. What started as a peppery sensation quickly turned into a severe sore throat and inability to swallow. The symptoms, aggravated by alcohol but slightly relieved by milk, lasted for hours.
Eating the fruit is not only highly unpleasant — it is potentially fatal.
The sap and fruit contain phorbol esters, highly toxic compounds that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, swelling of the throat severe enough to require intubation and even death.
And even without consuming the fruits, the tree represents a serious risk. Being under it during the rain can cause serious skin irritation and eye damage.as the droplets carry its sap, causing diseases such as dermatitis and ophthalmitis.
One from 2011 highlighted this danger when a group of students on Bequia, an island in the West Indies, sought refuge under a manchineal tree during a storm. They quickly developed painful skin and eye reactions due to the sap-laden rainwater.
What makes the tree particularly insidious is its vulgar appearance. Its fruit has a sweet smell, which seduces children and unsuspecting adults, and its shade can tempt anyone looking for refuge from the sun.
