Hippomane mancinella aka Manchineel

Hippomane mancinella, or manchineel, is in the spurge family. Its native range takes in southern Florida and the Keys. It includes the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. It reaches as far as northern Venezuela. The Galápagos Islands also form part of its native range. This coastal plant grows in wet lowlands in the tropics. It lives near mangroves in brackish swamps and on sandy shores. In Jamaica, it grows in limestone thickets near salt marshes too.

Manchineel often grows as a tall shrub, not a large tree. Sources give maximum heights of 50–59 feet [15–18 metres]. Most plants stay smaller, with wide limbs and a round crown. The tree may keep its leaves or shed them. Its bark has deep cracks and reddish or gray-brown tones. Each leaf has one blade with fine teeth along its edge. The leaves grow in turn on each side of the stem. Each has a small gland where it joins the stem.

Small yellow-green flowers grow on spikes with no leaves. The blooms draw little notice, but their spikes stand out. Bees bring pollen to the flowers. The fruit looks like a small apple, but it is poisonous. Its bright green skin turns yellow-green as the fruit ripens. Some iguanas eat the fruit and live among the branches. This does not mean people or other animals can eat it.

Every part of this tree poses a serious poison risk. Eating any part can be fatal. Its thick white sap can cause blisters on the skin. Leaves, twigs, bark, and fruit can all release this sap. Smoke from burning wood can inflame the eyes. It can also cause a short-term loss of sight. Rain beneath the tree may also expose people to harm. These risks make contact with the plant a serious concern. There are no known edible uses.

People have used the wood for furniture, cabinets, and indoor trim. Its dark heartwood has brown and black marks. The wood takes a smooth finish and a good polish. Though durable, the wood can suffer attacks from drywood termites. Even dry wood needs care when handled due to its hazards. Past medical uses include fruit extracts and gum from the bark. These reports do not show that home treatments are safe. Useful Tropical Plants reports a global Least Concern assessment from 2019. Yet Florida lists manchineel as endangered within the state.