Common Name: Mancenillier

General Information

Mancenillier is a glabrous, deciduous or evergreen tree with spreading branches and a rounded crown[]. It can grow up to 18 metres tall with a bole up to 90cm in diameter, but is usually smaller[, ].
Although very poisonous, the tree is occasionally used medicinally and is valued for its timber.

Known Hazards

The attractive fruits are toxic and can cause serious illness or even death if ingested[].
The milky sap is poisonous if taken internally, and upon contact with the skin causes severe inflammation in some persons[]. Others are apparently immune to the external effects of the juice[]. It is reported that the latex was used by the Caribs for poisoning arrows[].
Smoke from the burning wood is dangerous to the eyes[].
The early Spaniards had such unfortunate experiences with the tree that they gave it a dark reputation indeed, claiming that a person who even sat beneath a tree would be blinded or would die, statements long ago proved false. It is possible, however, that people resting or passing beneath the trees during rain might be harmed[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Northern S. America - Venezuela through Central America to Mexico, Florida and the Caribbean.

Habitat

Frequent on sandy beaches, growing only at the inner edge of the beaches, and found nowhere else[]. Thickets on limestone and at the edges of salt marshes, never far from the sea in Jamaica[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of lowland tropical areas.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Although poisonous, an extract of the fruit is employed to treat elephantiasis[].
Antidotes to the poisonous latex in an accidentally eaten fruit include: a leaf infusion of Jatropha multifida; a leaf-and-flower infusion of Tabebuia serratifolia; and a seed decoction of Fevillea cordifolia[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark brown with markings of brown and black; the sapwood is light brown or yellowish. The texture is fine and uniform; the wood is fairly hard; strong; of medium weight; lustrous; highly durable, though very susceptible to attack by drywood termites. It is easy to work; finishes smoothly; takes a good polish. It has long been used in some parts of tropical America, mostly in the West Indies, for making good furniture, cabinet work and interior finish[, , ]. The wood must be handled with great care, even when dry[].
Although the poisonous sap adds difficulties to logging and handling lumber, the trees can be girdled in advance or the bark can be burned off or charred before felling[].

Propagation

Seed -

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