What does the world's most dangerous tree look like and what is the "apple of death"
The Guinness Book of Records recognized the manchineel as the "most dangerous tree in the world". And the legendary navigator Christopher Columbus called it "manzanilla de la Muerte", which means a small "apple of death."
It is known that the bark of the manchineel can cause chemical burns, and the fruits, which look like small apples, are deadly poisonous. It is even dangerous to stand under this tree in the rain, because its sap, which flows down with the drops, can burn the skin, writes IflScience.
It is better not to touch the manchineel tree
Source: Getty
According to scientists, the manchineel tree, which can be seen in the wetlands of Florida (USA) and on the Caribbean coast, is best avoided. After all, the sap secreted by its trunk is so poisonous and acidic that blisters appear on contact with human skin. And if the sap gets in your eyes, you can go blind, according to the Guinness World Records website.
Interestingly, this deadly tree should not be burned, as the smoke from it can also cause blindness if a person is near a fire, experts warn.
The bark, sap, and fruits of the manchineel tree are all dangerous to humans.
Source: Getty
In 2011, a group of students decided to take shelter from the rain under a manchineel tree on the island of Bequia in the West Indies. The young people were later treated for skin burns.
Nicola Strickland, a consultant radiologist from the United Kingdom, shared her experience of contact with the manchineel tree. While walking on the beach, the woman decided to eat the "apple of death." "I hastily bit into this fruit, which was pleasantly sweet. My friend tried it too. After a few minutes, we noticed a strange peppery sensation in our mouths, which gradually progressed to burning, severe pain, and throat tightness," the scientist described.
Fortunately, they survived. However, it is not worth experimenting with manchineel, it can be fatal, scientists emphasize.
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