Manchineel tree
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| iHippomane mancinella | ||||||||||||||
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| Hippomane mancinella L. |
The Manchineel tree (Hippomane mancinella, the sole species in the genus Hippomane) is a species of flowering plant in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to the Caribbean and in Central America. It is one of the most poisonous trees in the world. The name "manchineel" is from Spanish manzanilla or, little apple, from the superficial resemblance of its fruit and leaves those of an apple tree.
It is a tree reaching up to 15 metres high with a greyish bark, shiny green leaves and spikes of small greenish flowers. Its fruits are green or greenish-yellow when ripe.
The manchineel tree can be found near to (and on) coastal beaches. It provides excellent natural windbreaks and its roots stabilise the sand, thus helping to prevent beach erosion.
The tree and its parts contain strong toxins.
The Caribs used the sap of this tree to poison their darts and were known to poison the water supply of their enemies with the leaves. As a form of torture they would tie victims to this tree and leave them exposed to the elements.[citation needed]
