Don't Be Fooled By the Manchineel Tree!
The manchineel tree is quite attractive, with cute sweet-scented applelike fruits. The fragrant nature of the fruit has drawn in and poisoned Spanish conquistadores, shipwrecked sailors, and present-day tourists.
Every part of the manchineel is poisonous. The fruit is toxic, and the sap from the leaves and stems is too. If touched, the irritants found in manchineel sap can produce inflammation and painful blisters on the skin.
Passersby are warned not to stand underneath the tree when it's raining, as dripping water can transfer toxins from the tree to anyone nearby. And finally, burning manchineel bark has been known to cause irritation, even blindness, due to airborne poison ash.
The manchineel is more widespread than you might imagine. It's found on beaches and throughout swamps in tropical climes, where it provides windbreaks and aids in erosion reduction efforts.
