Anacardiaceae FAMILY

Metopium toxiferum

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The plant contains a latex, which often exudes naturally from the bark and leaves, becoming black once exposed to the air. This latex irritates the skin and causes allergies. After contact with it, 70% of Europeans develop itching papules a few days later, which then develop into blisters and remain for several weeks[ 374 Title Contact-Poisonous Plants of the World Publication Author Rohde. M. Website http://mic-ro.com/plants/ Publisher Year 2006 ISBN Description A document on the internet. Gives brief information on about 35 species of plants that can cause severe problems from a single contact with the skin. ]. The smoke of the burning wood irritates the skin[ 374 Title Contact-Poisonous Plants of the World Publication Author Rohde. M. Website http://mic-ro.com/plants/ Publisher Year 2006 ISBN Description A document on the internet. Gives brief information on about 35 species of plants that can cause severe problems from a single contact with the skin. ].

Botanical Description

Metopium toxiferum is an evergreen tree with a broad, rounded crown of widely spreading, stout branches; it can grow 4 - 12 metres tall. The usually short bole can be 15 - 60cm in diameter[ 447 Title Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Publication Author Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1964 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeCaribbean - Leeward Islands to Cuba and the Bahamas; SE N. America - Florida.

HabitatForests and thickets of the dry limestone region and rare in the moist limestone region of Puerto Rico[ 447 Title Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Publication Author Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H. Publisher USDA, Forest Service; Washington. Year 1964 ISBN Description Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species. ].