Author Topic: Deadly apple tree in Florida  (Read 914 times)

JulianoGS

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Deadly apple tree in Florida
« on: November 22, 2021, 10:30:10 AM »
On the surface, the Manchineel seems harmless: A green, leafy tree bearing fruits that resemble green apples.

But don't be fooled: Everything from the bark, sap and fruit can be incredibly dangerous to humans.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/little-apple-of-death-tree-found-in-south-florida-named-worlds-deadliest/ar-AAQPwRj?li=BBnb7Kz

Be very careful and mindful of what you sow, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

pineislander

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Re: Deadly apple tree in Florida
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2021, 01:15:26 PM »
On the surface, the Manchineel seems harmless: A green, leafy tree bearing fruits that resemble green apples.

But don't be fooled: Everything from the bark, sap and fruit can be incredibly dangerous to humans.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tripideas/little-apple-of-death-tree-found-in-south-florida-named-worlds-deadliest/ar-AAQPwRj?li=BBnb7Kz
Man, this has really been circulating around social media, saw it twice last week. Yes it is toxic. VERY common tree lining the beaches of many Caribbean islands. Some of the hype warns people to not breathe the air around them!

I used to live down the street from Butler Bay USVI which is covered with these trees and yes you don't touch them but folks camp and picnic underneath them all the time.
video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaljquXxCC8

However, regarding "most deadly tree" status a retrospective of 97 cases of fruit ingestion the dumbasses had burned mouths and stomach aches, none died.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0041010119300558

RollingInTheWeeds

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Re: Deadly apple tree in Florida
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2021, 11:04:40 PM »
Thanks for adding helpful details pineislander.

CarolinaZone

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Re: Deadly apple tree in Florida
« Reply #3 on: November 23, 2021, 12:19:47 AM »
My question is why don't the get eradicated if it is a noxious plant? Is there some benefit?

pineislander

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Re: Deadly apple tree in Florida
« Reply #4 on: November 23, 2021, 01:54:06 PM »
My question is why don't the get eradicated if it is a noxious plant? Is there some benefit?
It is a native plant and many others are poisonous just need to respect plants in nature. The manchineel is a successful beach plant which serves to reduce erosion. Also we have more than enough invasives to try and eradicate. 

Paraponera

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Re: Deadly apple tree in Florida
« Reply #5 on: November 29, 2021, 08:55:53 PM »
My question is why don't the get eradicated if it is a noxious plant? Is there some benefit?

Unknown numbers of species and ecosystems rely on many "dangerous" plants. Many "toxic" plants have yielded pharmaceutical drugs (Chondrdendron tomentosum) and chemotherapeutic compounds (Catharanthus roseus) due to their bioactive components or that of their endophytes (seems to be the case with Taxus brevifolia). Less than 1 % of all plant species have been studied thoroughly for their potential medicinal benefits alone. Yet roughly 25% of medications in our local pharmacy contain active plant compounds.

"We should preserve every scrap of biodiversity as priceless while we learn to use it and come to understand what it means to humanity. "

- E. O. Wilson

I say let it grow.   ;)
"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."

Albert Einstein