HIPPOMANE MANCINELLA Meaning and
Definition
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Hippomane mancinella is a species of flowering plant native to coastal areas in the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America. Commonly known as the "Manchineel tree," it belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is considered one of the most poisonous trees in the world.
This evergreen tree commonly grows up to 15 meters tall, featuring a dense crown with shiny oval-shaped leaves that have a distinct leathery texture and a deep green color. It produces small greenish-yellow flowers and small apple-like fruits, which are green or yellow when ripe.
However, what distinguishes the Hippomane mancinella is its extreme toxicity. All parts of the tree, including its leaves, fruit, bark, and milky sap, contain a potent cocktail of toxins such as phorbol esters and Diterpene B resin. Contact with any of these parts can induce severe dermatitis characterized by redness, blistering, and intense itching. Ingesting any part of the tree can lead to burning sensations in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, and potentially even death. The tree's milky sap is so toxic that standing underneath it during rainfall can cause severe blistering.
Due to its toxic properties, the Hippomane mancinella has earned several eerie nicknames, including the "Death Apple" and the "Tree of Death." It is crucial to exercise caution and avoid any contact or consumption of parts from this tree to prevent serious harm.
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A West Indian tree furnishing a poisonous resin, manchineel.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HIPPOMANE MANCINELLA
- gippomane mancinella
- bippomane mancinella
- nippomane mancinella
- jippomane mancinella
- uippomane mancinella
- yippomane mancinella
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- hilpomane mancinella
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- hipoomane mancinella
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- hip-omane mancinella
- hip0omane mancinella
Etymology of HIPPOMANE MANCINELLA
The word "Hippomane mancinella" is derived from a combination of Greek and Latin terms.
- "Hippomane" comes from the Greek words "hippos" (ἵππος), meaning "horse", and "mane" (μάνα), meaning "madness". In Greek mythology, the hippomane was believed to be a substance emitted from mares after giving birth, which was said to cause madness in men. This term was later used to describe a variety of plants with similar properties.
- "Mancinella" comes from the Latin word "mancinella" or "mala mancinella", meaning "little apple of death". The term "mancinella" is derived from a combination of "malus" (apple) and "mancinus" (dangerous, malicious).
