Little Apple Of Death

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Found only in the Western hemisphere this poisonous Manchineel tree is bad news on all levels. The small fruit resembling an apple is the least of your worries. It's white milky juice is caustic and can cause edema,dermatitis or blistering of the skin. The smoke from the bark can temporarily cause blindness. Some cases have been permanent. Raindrops from the branches can cause burns. The unknowing traveler who finds shelter under a tree also known as the beach apple beware of this one. Its foliage is appealing for shade but beware. It has green oval leaves and reach a height of 15 meters. A legend reads that Spanish conquistador,Juan Ponce de Leon, was hit by an arrow that had been infused with the juices of the tree and was killed by the poisonous tree. It is said to be a slow and painful way to die. The tree is listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's most dangerous tree. It is a flowering plant species in the spurge family and native to northern South America and southern North America.