Flowers and Fruit - We've Got Some Poison Here

 Ornamental Tree Happens to Be a Killer

Yesterday three of us headed north with the cameras. Overcast weather is great for waterfalls.

Doc and I got with an old friend. I'll call him TC because Typhoon Condition is hard to spell.

We stopped at a bridge, crossing Haneji Dam to shoot a few photos and stretch our legs.

Lining the road, just before the bridge, were these trees with some sort of red fruits.

There were samples which had fallen to the ground. Some were red, others brown.

TC and I had to pick them up for closer examination. They were sort of sticky.

It seemed like a good idea, to wash our hands and we did, using wet lens tissues.

It's always fun, trying to identify flowering trees so, I took a photo of these flowers.

With an image, containing flowers and the leaves and identification may be easy.

After an hour of internet searching, I gave up and decided to try the library.

They have an awesome crew at the Kin Town Library. You just have to speak Japanese.

It's been a long time since I've bothered them for information on plant identification.

Most of the staff know me. I saw a few new faces. Soon, the whole joint was helping me.

Before long, they had this one nailed down. And, I even got the Latin terminology.

Identification

English Name: Sea Pong Pong or Pink-eyed Cerbera

Scientific Name: Cerbera manghas

Japanese Name:  ミフクラギ (Mifukuragi)

WARNING: The fruits and leaves are poisonous if, you eat them.

Hunters have used the sap of this tree to kill animals.

People have been known, to do themselves in with the poison, too.

It's sometimes called "suicide apple" by folks in the Hawaiian Islands.

A bit of Madagascar Mythology: The seeds were used to poison kings and queens.

There's Good News Too

The roots and bark of the tree can be used to make a laxative.

Timber from this plant can be used for carving and furniture.

And the wood can be burned, to make high-quality charcoal.

References:

Flora Fauna Web

Wikipedia

Flower Photos: African Tuliptree (Spathodea campanulata) in Okinawa

Beauty of a Beast

When I first saw these flowers blooming, I thought they were early Deigo Blossoms.

But, the leaves are different so, I did some research and found out what this gem could be.

Plenty of photos were taken, to help with the identification and, I got some facts to share.

1.  The plant's botanical name is Spathodea campanulata and, it's native to Africa.

Drought resistant, it can be grown in containers, indoors.

2. People around the globe, like the pretty red flowers and, started growing them, everywhere.

The plant became an invasive, in many South Pacific locations because, it grows rapidly.

3. Children love to play with the flower buds, before they open, using them as squirt-guns.

4. People in California and Arizona, can grow these trees in their yards.

5. The tree has some medicinal uses but, you should know something before, planting one.

Africans, make poison arrows from part of this tree. I won't tell you how.

If, you see a string of these red flowers at your door, someone thinks you're evil !

Get some of these beauties for your garden by checking the links. Not me !

Flower: Taiwanrengyo (タイワンレギョウ) a Landscaping Plant

5 Things to Know About this Plant

 

 

1.  Names: Duranta erecta or Duranta repens.

Commonly called Golden Dew Drop, Sky Flower, Pigeon Berry.

In Australia, they have a variety called, 'Geisha Girl' .

2.  Birds and butterflies are attracted to the shrubs and flowers.

 3.  Native to Mexico, the Caribbean and South to Brazil, they are also grown in Florida.

4. The plants tolerate heat, as well as, mild cold temperatures; they're evergreens.

5.  Don't eat the orange berries; they are poisonous.

Why You Should Let Someone Else Do the Fishing

It's not much fun posting flowers of Okinawa, unless a good story goes along with them.


Today, I found out the goodies on these red-eyed devils. 

The trees grow in coastal areas, often around mangrove forests.

Too bad, there were no fruits, hanging on this one.

Maybe, I'll shoot some when they're in season.

You should know what they look like.

They call this plant "Suicide Apple" in Hawaii.

Dangerous and Poisonous 

 

The leaves, fruits and sap from the tree are deadly.

Folks in Madagascar had some rituals where they poisoned kings and queens with the stuff !

Over in Singapore, they say the trees are rare.

 

Wild Singapore, claims they are "Critically Endangered" plants.

The Wiki folks tell me, people ate the stuff to commit suicide in the Marquesas Islands.

Other Than Ornaments What Are These Good For ?

 

Well, I suppose a talking doctor could help someone with them.

If he had a patient who had constant problems with (ahem-ahum) imaginary friends.

Just take these leaves and make some tea.

After your little party, they'll never come back again !



Flower Photos: Pretty But Deadly the Jatropha hastata

Toxic Plants Could Kill People and Animals

 

These photos were taken during my walk to the office this morning.

A tree, with bright red flowers, caught my attention so, I decided to get it for you.

The sun hadn't hit, yet because it was before 7AM and, it was looking like it would rain.

So, I snapped a few quick shots and moved along.

If you noticed, I haven't placed many images in Trees, Flowers and Ferns for September.

We're fixing that, now.

Here's a shot, to give an idea, how big this tree gets to be.

What Would Anybody Want These Plants For ?

 

 

 Research on these beauties will tell you:

Most of the 170 types of Jatropha originated in South America.

And, most of the parts of the plant are toxic so, you shouldn't eat them.

Especially the seeds; three of them, if consumed, can kill a human.

If you want to tan hides or, make diesel fuel, these plants might be good for you.

Or, if your neighbors keep stealing your flowers to eat.....

References:

Sub-tropical Flowers in Okinawa  ISBN4-99091917-3-0

INCHEM

University of Florida

The Wiki People 

 

White Angel Trumpet Can Be a Real Killer (Flower Photos)

It's Nice to Know Which Pretty Ones are Deadly

 

These white flowers were spotted alongside the road in northern Okinawa.

Brugmansia suaveolens or, Angel Trumpets grow on a plant that could be called, a small tree.

Originally from South America, they can be seen blooming around here in September.

Over at Dave's Garden, you can see who grows them and, where.

People talk about what success or, failures they experienced growing them.

Some folks will even  trade or, sell the seeds and plants.

My good friends at Floridata gave me this information:

WARNING:

"All parts of this and other angel trumpets are narcotic and poisonous. Some people have ingested or smoked angel trumpet for its narcotic effects, and some of those people are no longer with us. The use of angel trumpet as a landscape plant is banned in some municipalities."

 The Missouri Botanical Garden will tell you this:

The plants were "Tried and True Recommended by 2 professionals." 

But, I think they should have stipulated that they were professional gardeners.

Because, some crackpots over on the Drugs Forum are crazy enough to smoke the stuff ! 

Flower Photo: Yellow Angel Trumpet, The Dog Killing Brugmansia

Wow.  Just when I thought I'd run out of things to say about these Angel Trumpet Flowers, along comes this:

THE ANGEL TRUMPET PLANT IS POISONOUS TO HUMANS AS WELL AS ANIMALS

Somebody asked their nurseryman what would happen if their dog ate some of the plant and he said, "You will probably end up with a dead dog."  

Probably, you shouldn't feed them to your kids, either.  That's what I would have said.  Ya reckon ?


PHOTO OF THE DAY:  ATTRACTED TO ORANGE