3 remarkable trees: A living fossil, a deadly canopy, and the world's biggest seeds that were once mounted in gold by royals

Earth is home to 3 trillion trees, with around 73,000 species recognized — and thousands more yet to be discovered. In this adapted extract from "Remarkable Trees" (Thames and Hudson Ltd, 2024), authors Christina Harrison and Tony Kirkham look at three truly astonishing species, including one that can burn and blind humans who touch its sap.

Manchineel

Hippomane mancinella

A member of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), this species actually holds the record as the world's most dangerous tree. The milky sap of the manchineel, which drips from any wounds in its trunk or branches, as with other spurges, contains strong irritants. It is so caustic that on contact with the skin, the sap will immediately cause blistering and burns, and can produce temporary blindness if it gets in the eyes. Even standing under this tree in the rain is dangerous, as drops contaminated by the sap can have the same effects.

Native to the tropical areas of southern North America (including Florida), the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America, this evergreen tree grows up to 50 feet (15 meters) tall. It is found along beaches and coastlines, where its roots help prevent erosion. The fruits resemble small green apples, but they are also highly toxic and the tree has many sinister common names including the Spanish arbol de la muerte or manzanilla de la muerte — tree or apple of death.

Said to taste quite sweet, the fruit's flesh, if eaten, soon results in severe burning and ulceration of the mouth and throat, leading to excruciating pain. As all parts of the manchineel are toxic, local people will sometimes mark the trunk of a tree with a red X or a sign to warn of its presence. The wood is used, with care, in the making of furniture, but even burning it is dangerous as the smoke from the fire can still give rise to serious eye problems.

Encounters with this species are mentioned by several famous explorers. The 18th-century naturalist Mark Catesby recorded the agonies he suffered after the juice of the tree got into his eyes, and that he was "two days totally deprived of sight." Manchineel's notorious reputation has even spread into literature — references are found in "Madame Bovary" and "The Swiss Family Robinson," among others, while it also appears in operas, including Giacomo Meyerbeer's "L'Africaine," where it is chosen as a means of suicide by the heroine Sélika.

Wollemi pine

Wollemia nobilis