Dangers HereManchineel: the tree you should not shelter under
The manchineel is often called the most dangerous tree in the world, and the reputation is deserved. Its milky sap blisters skin on contact, its small green fruit is severely toxic, burning the wood produces smoke that damages the eyes and airways, and rain dripping off its leaves carries enough sap to blister anyone sheltering beneath it.
- 5High risk
- 0Medium
- 0Low
- 5Zones tracked
Where you will meet it
Caribbean and Central American coastlines, the Bahamas, and southern Florida — growing on beaches and in coastal scrub, exactly where people look for shade. In managed areas the trunks are often marked with red paint or bands, or carry warning signs. In unmanaged areas there is no marking at all.
What it looks like
A spreading tree up to about 15 metres with shiny, oval, bright-green leaves with a small gland at the leaf base, and small green fruit resembling crab apples — the Spanish name manzanilla de la muerte, "little apple of death", refers to them. Any tree on a Caribbean beach bearing small green apple-like fruit should be treated as manchineel until proven otherwise.
How to avoid it
- Never shelter under it, and above all never shelter under it in rain.
- Do not touch any part of it, do not lean a bicycle or bag against the trunk, and do not sit beneath it.
- Never eat the fruit; ingestion causes severe internal burns and is a medical emergency.
- Never burn the wood or add it to a beach fire — the smoke can cause temporary blindness.
- Respect red-painted trunks and warning signs on Caribbean beaches.
If it happens
- Rinse skin with plenty of water — not seawater alone — and remove contaminated clothing.
- Flush eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical care.
- For any ingestion, go to hospital immediately; do not induce vomiting.
- Treat blistering as a chemical burn and get it assessed.
General guidance only — not a substitute for medical advice or local emergency services.
Where we track it
5 zones in the Dangers Here hazard database, by danger level.
High
- Grand Bahama & Abaco
- Haiti & western Hispaniola
- Honduras & Nicaragua coast
- Jamaica
- South Florida
Questions
Where is manchineel tree a risk?
We track 5 zones for this hazard. 5 are rated high risk, including Grand Bahama & Abaco, Haiti & western Hispaniola, Honduras & Nicaragua coast, Jamaica, South Florida. 0 are rated medium and 0 low.
How do you avoid manchineel tree?
Never shelter under it, and above all never shelter under it in rain. Do not touch any part of it, do not lean a bicycle or bag against the trunk, and do not sit beneath it. Never eat the fruit; ingestion causes severe internal burns and is a medical emergency.
What is the first aid for manchineel tree?
Rinse skin with plenty of water — not seawater alone — and remove contaminated clothing. Flush eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical care. For any ingestion, go to hospital immediately; do not induce vomiting.
Where you will meet it
Caribbean and Central American coastlines, the Bahamas, and southern Florida — growing on beaches and in coastal scrub, exactly where people look for shade. In managed areas the trunks are often marked with red paint or bands, or carry warning signs. In unmanaged areas there is no marking at all.
Get the alerts on your phone
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