ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida is no stranger to danger, whether it’s massive sinkholes, powerful hurricanes, or invasive threats.
But what many residents might not know is that there’s a tree native to the Sunshine State that’s considered the most dangerous in the world.
That’s according to the Guinness World Records, which has granted the moniker to the Manchineel tree.
At first glance, there doesn’t appear to be anything all that dangerous about the Manchineel.
The tree is native to South Florida, and it gets its name from the Spanish word for “little apple,” which references the fruit that can be seen growing on the Manchineel.
However, researchers with the UF/IFAS warn that the tree has also been dubbed the “Tree of Death” due to the plant’s and its fruit’s deadly nature.
According to the UF/IFAS, all parts of the Manchineel tree are extremely poisonous, as the tree oozes a sap from its leaves, twigs, bark and fruit that can cause burn-like blisters when it comes into contact with skin.
“People have reported heavy inflammation of the eyes and even temporary blindness from irritants carried in the smoke of this tree’s burning wood,” researchers wrote. “While some claim that they are immune to the noxious sap when it interacts with their skin, ingesting any part of this tree can be lethal and is not recommended.”
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Over two decades ago, a doctor who inadvertently tasted the Manchineel’s fruit described it as “pleasantly sweet,” though she later noticed a “strange peppery feeling” in her mouth.
Soon, that feeling coalesced into a burning sensation and tightness in her throat. The symptoms reportedly became excruciating and took around eight hours to subside.
“Even standing under this tree in the rain can be harmful,” another study states. “Reports of students who took shelter during a storm under this tree gave rise to concurrent dermatitis and ophthalmitis.”
The sap’s poison is so potent, researchers claim, that Native Americans historically used the substance to coat their arrows when hunting.
Nowadays, warning signs and red rings are often posted near Manchineels to warn unwary visitors to stay away.
That being said, most residents in the state aren’t likely to come across a Manchineel during their day-to-day routine.
This is because the Manchineel tree is an endangered species, meaning it’s in danger of becoming extinct.
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In the Sunshine State, the tree can be primarily found in the Everglades, with reports documented in Monroe and Miami-Dade counties.
Regardless, though, it’s a good idea to give a wide berth to any of these trees if you come across one. After all, coming into contact with its sap in any way could put you in an incredibly painful situation — or worse.