Don’t Stand Under a Manchineel Tree When It’s Raining…..It Could Kill You



There’s a toxic coastal plant you need to know about, and it’s called the manchineel tree. It’s often accompanied by cautionary signs and a bright red band painted around its trunk as a warning to all who pass by. That’s because it's one of the most dangerous plant species around. The manchineel (aka the Tree of Death) is native to coastal areas in South Florida. The trees live on beaches or in brackish water and tend to grow in clusters among mangroves. Don’t be fooled by it’s apple-like fruit, which causes inflammation and blistering around the mouth if eaten. Not only is the fruit toxic, even the leaves, stems and tree sap are toxic. In fact, every part of the manchineel tree is poisonous. Passersby are even warned not to stand underneath the tree when it’s raining, as dripping water can transfer the toxins from the tree to the people standing under it. Finally, burning manchineel bark has been known to cause irritation — even blindness — due to airborne poison ash.