Authority:

Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.

Family:

Euphorbiaceae

Description:

Species Description - Tree 8-12 m tall, glabrous, producing abundant poisonous, milky latex; bark gray, smooth. Leaf blades 5-14 x 3-8 cm, ovate to elliptic, nearly coriaceous, glabrous, the apex acute, obtuse, or rounded, the base obtuse or rounded, the margins crenate-dentate; petioles 3-5 cm long, with an annular gland at apex; stipules ovate to lanceolate, ca. 2.5 mm long, early deciduous. Spikes 3-12 cm long. Staminate flowers numerous at inflorescence nodes. Pistillate flowers solitary or paired at proximal nodes of spikes; ovary nearly ovoid, glabrous, the styles united at base, recurved. Capsule glabrous, depressed-globose, 2-2.5 cm diam., turning from green to yellow, with sweet smell. Seeds flattened, 5 mm long.

Discussion:

Common names: death apple, manchineel, mangineedle, poison apple.

Note: The latex and fruits from this tree are deadly poisonous if ingested and not treated in time. The latex causes severe dermatitis or temporary blindness when it comes in contact with the skin or eyes. The plant is dangerous because the fruits resemble a small apple and have a sweet smell, enticing people to eat them.

Distribution:

Saint John Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Virgin Gorda Virgin Islands South America| Tortola Virgin Islands South America| Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America| Saint Croix Virgin Islands of the United States South America|