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Cerbera odollam
1791Summary
Cerbera odollam is a tree species in the family Apocynaceae commonly known as the suicide tree or pong-pong. It bears a fruit known as othalanga whose seeds yield a potent poison called cerberin. It has historically been used in trials by ordeal, especially in Madagascar, where it has caused thousands of deaths annually, and continues to be used for suicide, particularly in Kerala, India. It can cause fatal heart arrhythmias with just one kernel and is responsible for numerous poisonings due to its easily masked taste and limited testing. It is native to South and Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and Queensland, Australia, growing preferentially along sandy coasts, riverbanks, and by mangrove swamps. It is also grown in tropical areas such as Hawaii as an ornamental. It is a 10–12 meter tall plant with glossy leaves, white-yellow flowers, and poisonous seeds encased in a red-ripening fruit that resembles oleander and produces a milky latex. Its seeds are used as biopesticides, insect......read more on Wikipedia.
Climate
What environment does Cerbera odollam prefer?
| Place | Rain (24h) | Sun | Humidity Hum. | Wind | |
| Loading... | 0.8in | 918umol | 64% | 4mph | |
| Loading... | 1.2in | 12umol | 84% | 9mph | |
| Loading... | 0in | 18umol | 81% | 11mph | |
Natural Habitat
Where does Cerbera odollam grow?
Observations
History
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Proteins
Traditional Uses
There's also wisdom in how different civilizations used plants throughout the millenia.
And some people put tremendous effort into collecting and preserving it.
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