How common are Manchineel trees in Grand Cayman?
My wife surprised the family by booking a trip to Grand Cayman later next year. This would be a welcome vacation after the recent years the world has had (and yes, we are aware of the current restrictions and reopening phases that may interfere with our plans).
However, one thing I noticed is that Grand Cayman has Manchineel trees, said to be the most toxic trees in the world. I had heard about these before, but thought they were isolated to Mexico and Central America. This would normally not be a cause for concern, but we have a two year old that literally eats rocks sometimes, so a nice green fruit would probably be pretty tempting. How prevalent are these trees here and are there precautions in Grand Cayman to keep them away from the public?
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Where are manchineel trees located?
manchineel, also called Poison Guava, (Hippomane mancinella), tree of the genus Hippomane, of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), that is famous for its poisonous fruits. The manchineel is native mostly to sandy beaches of the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.How do you tell if a tree is a manchineel?
Identifying the Manchineel TreeThe evergreen tree has reddish-gray bark, small greenish-yellow flowers, and shiny green leaves. The leaves are simple, alternate, very finely serrated or toothed, 2\u20134 in inches long. Spikes of small greenish flowers are followed by fruits similar in appearance to an apple.What happens if you touch a manchineel tree?
The fruit is toxic, and the sap from the leaves and stems is too. If touched, the irritants found in manchineel sap can produce inflammation and painful blisters on the skin. Passersby are warned not to stand underneath the tree when it's raining, as dripping water can transfer toxins from the tree to anyone nearby.Can you touch a manchineel?
The manchineel tree can cause severe medical problems. The milky sap causes blistering, burns, and inflammation when in contact with the skin, mucous membranes, and conjunctivae. Smoke from the burning wood may injure the eyes.Standing Underneath This Tree Will Kill You!
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Jonny Lew, Pixabay, Artur Roman, Barbara Sheldrake