The manchineel, or beach apple, is a flowering tree found throughout Florida, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. The tree mainly grows in brackish waters of mangroves and swamps along the coast.
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What is the manchineel tree?
- The manchineel tree is a coastal tree that plays a crucial role in preventing erosion by stabilizing sand with its roots and acting as a natural windbreak.
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Why should people avoid the manchineel tree?
- The manchineel tree is considered one of the most poisonous trees in the world. Its sap is highly toxic and can seep from the stem, branches, leaves, and fruits.
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Can the fruit of the manchineel tree be eaten?
- No, although the tree bears apple-like fruits, they are extremely toxic and must not be consumed.
- The tree gets its name from the Spanish phrase manzanilla de la muerte, meaning “little apple of death”.
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Is there a historical connection between the manchineel tree and Juan Ponce de León?
- According to legend, the explorer Juan Ponce de León was fatally wounded in 1521 on his second trip to Florida by an arrow that had been dipped in the tree's poisonous sap. He died shortly afterward.
Stephen Orsillo
The Manchineel Tree -
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Manchineel Tree Toxicity -
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Manchineel Tree History -
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