What Is a Death Apple?

The Manchineel, or 'Death Apple,' Is the World's Most Dangerous Tree. By: Katie Carman | May 19, 2020. The manchineel (Hippomane mancinella), or death apple tree ("The Manzana de Muerte"), is a very poisonous species found around the Caribbean and northern tropics.

What do death apples taste like?

It was sweet-smelling, so she took a tiny bite, then offered it to a friend. It was a manchineel beach apple. They felt a peppery taste in their mouths, then a tearing, burning sensation followed by a tightening of their throats until they could barely swallow.

What is the little apple of death?

A present-day Spanish name is manzanilla de la muerte, "little apple of death". This refers to the fact that manchineel is one of the most toxic trees in the world: the tree has milky-white sap which contains numerous toxins and can cause blistering.