THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MOST DANGEROUS TREE IN THE WORLD

[Judi Lynn]

BY NICOLE ROSENTHAL/JUNE 10, 2020 11:33 AM EDT

Per Guinness World Records, the world's most dangerous tree takes the form of the manchineel, typically found in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and of course, Florida. No, this tree won't actively try to crush you like the Whomping Willow or give you horrible, horrible nightmares as a child. They aren't Screaming Trees, either, like the forgotten 90s band. But you should definitely avoid this plant at all costs.

The trunk of a manchineel is what you should be wary of, particularly the poisonous and acidic milk-white sap that it oozes. Any skin contact with manchineel sap can cause a breakout of painful blisters, as well as blindness if the sap gets into one's eye. According to Guinness, standing under the tree in the rain is enough to cause skin blistering due to a mixture of sap in the falling raindrops. Let's face it: the manchineel takes the cake for plants that definitely want to kill you.

LITTLE APPLE OF DEATH



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You definitely don't want to mess around with this tree either: biting into one of its apple-like fruits (known as "beach apples&quot can prove fatal, as well as cause blistering and severe pain. Experts warn that the seemingly harmless snack can cause internal bleeding, shock, and bacterial superinfection, as well as potential airway restriction.

One unfortunate soul unknowingly tried his fate by munching on the fruit, via the US National Library of Medicine, describing a "pleasantly sweet" taste at first, then a "strange peppery feeling ... gradually progress[ing] to a burning, tearing sensation and tightness of the throat. The symptoms worsened over a couple of hours until we could barely swallow solid food because of the excruciating pain and the feeling of a huge obstructing pharyngeal lump."

Read More: https://www.grunge.com/216498/the-truth-about-the-most-dangerous-tree-in-the-world/?utm_campaign=clip

[yonder]

1. It sounds like a member of Euphorbiaceae of which

Leafy spurge, an invasive plant in North America, is spreading uncontrolled. It's milky-white sap can cause blisters and blindness too. Also a problem for rangeland livestock.