Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

SPURGE FAMILY (EUPHORBIACEAE)
124. Manzanillo, manchineel Hippomane mancfnella L.
The deadly manznnillo or manchineel is the most
poisonous tree of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
and ranks among the most famous poisonous
plants in tropical America. The attmct~ve pnlatable
fruits cause serious illness or even death ~vhen
eaten, and the milky sap is injurious both externall
and internally. Growing along nnd near
san 2' y seashore or sometimes inland, this tree is
characterized by : (1) irritating millg sip in the
lenves, twigs, and bark; (2) round, yellow-green
or yellolvish fruits, tinged wit11 red, 1-1% inches
in diameter, resembling small apples or guavas
(guayabas) but very toxic, often littering the
beaches; and (3 tho long-stalked, shiny, leathe~y,
yel10~--green, e 1 liptic leaves with minute wavy
teeth on edp, the sides bent upward slightly at
the yellow~sh midrib, and with a raised dot
(gland) at base of midrib.
An evergreen tree to 40 feet in height and 2
feet in diameter, usually smaller, with nyidely
forking branches and broad spreading crown.
The bark is dark brown or gray, scal or fissured
or wit11 warts, as much as 1/2 inch t K ick. Inner
bark is light brown or whitish with bitter Insting
irr~tnting taste nncl with poisonous white sap or
latex. Twigs are peen 11-hen young, becoming
brownish py, and smooth.
The alternate leaves have round yellow-green
petioles 1%-2 inches long. The laf blades are
24 inches long and 1%-2% inches wide, shortpointed,
rounded at base, shiny on upper surface
and dull and paler beneath.
Tlie inconspicuous greenish male and female
flowers are borne stalkless along n glandular
greenis11 terminal axis (spike) 2-4 inches long
(monoecious). Male flowers are in groups of 6-
15 each, about I/ls inch long, composed of calyx
with 2. or 3 lobes and 2 or 3 stamens. Female
flowers, 1, 2, or none at base of same nxis, about
inch long and broad, consist of 3-lobed calyx
and pistil wit11 6-8-celled ovary and 6-8 curved
short brown styles.
The stalkless fruits (clrupes), single or pnirecl
I>nt produced in quantities, appear lateral after
forlcing and continued growth of twigs beyond.
The sweet-scented fruit has a sunlten spot at end
and greenish-white mellow flesh which is palatable
nncl not irritating to the taste tholigh very toxic.
A hard stone encloses 6-8 dark brown seeds %
inch long. Flowering from spring to October, the
fruits maturing almost ayear later.
The sapwood is light brown or yellowish, and
the heart\\-ood dark brown. The mood is fairly
hard, mediuin~veight (specific gravity 0.5), and
strong, taking a good polish. Though reportecl to
be durable, it is very susceptible to nttaclr by drywood
termites. The wood has been employed for
furniture, cabinetwork, interior finish, and con-
274
struction. Though the poisono~~s sap adds diffirl~lties
to logging and han