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October 7, 2012
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KILLER TREES (Actually, killer tree. Singular.)

moniquill:

poorhornycat:

laronmi:

Today I want to talk about the ways that trees can kill you. Specifically, the Sandbox or Dynamite tree. (Hura crepitans)

To begin, have a picture of the sandbox tree’s trunk:

Does that look painful? I think it looks painful. The trunk is covered with spikes, which gave the nickname of the “Monkey-no-Climb”. It can grow up to be 100 feet tall and can have diameters of three feet across. THAT’S A BIG TREE. And it’s all covered with spikes.

It also produces fruit! It’s kind of cute looking, really, like a tiny green squash.

Except the fruit explodes. Violently. It’s been known to launch the seeds inside the fruit away from the tree at speeds of 150 mph, and can go up to 300 feet away. People hit with one of these seeds (Which are around 3 inches in diameter) can be seriously injured. The only warning you’ll get is the sound the pod makes—hence the nickname of dynamite tree.

Oh, yeah, the seeds are flat and hooked. Like knives. So basically this tree shoots high speed razors at your face, and the only indication that you’ll be stabbed by tens of tiny death blades is the sound of someone shooting a gun 300 feet away.

On top of all that, every part of the tree is poisonous. If you’re foolish enough to eat the seeds, you run the risk of dying. Two is all you need! If you don’t die, you experience cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, delusions, and convulsions! 

The tree also produces a sap on its trunks as a second defense mechanism. Should the spikes not deter predators, the sap will. It causes inflammation, skin irritation, and temporary blindness if it gets in the eyes. The sap is used a poison for hunting. The leaves aren’t as poisonous, and can have medicinal uses. Leaves can grow up to two feet in length. The leaves and bark are used as ingredients for hallucinogenic drinks.

The tree is native to tropical regions, and can be found in parts of Mexico and the tropical rainforest.

Some sources: 
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ww0901c.htm
http://tropilab.com/hura-cre.html
http://www.gotostcroix.com/trees-sandbox
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hura_crepitans 

what

the fuck

nature

WHAT THE FUCK

EVOLUTION: IT’S A HELL OF A DRUG!


(via karnythia)

Notes:

  1. marco------polo reblogged this from laughingisbetter
  2. kaysinkacei reblogged this from puckling
  3. dreamingandinspired reblogged this from laronmi
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  5. xosniskcof reblogged this from girlwithg0ldeyes
  6. theyellowjumble reblogged this from catmintz
  7. kizzyking reblogged this from kingdomhearts615
  8. shorttfuse reblogged this from girlwithg0ldeyes
  9. sandanio reblogged this from 3go
  10. allthatkitties reblogged this from zillythejellyfishsreblogs
  11. zillythejellyfishsreblogs reblogged this from kankiri
  12. jazzmoth reblogged this from laronmi
  13. little-smartass reblogged this from zillythejellyfishsreblogs
  14. scruffilus reblogged this from latinisnotadeadlanguage
  15. thedreamsofelize reblogged this from latinisnotadeadlanguage and added:
    ^PERFECT GIF FOR THIS
  16. latinisnotadeadlanguage reblogged this from bubonickitten and added:
    I believe this is nature’s way of saying “fuck you.”
  17. sajn-lom reblogged this from d34th4ndc0tt0nc4ndy
  18. philosophy-of-the-natural-world reblogged this from the-plant-enthusiast
  19. ramblingcharlie reblogged this from the-plant-enthusiast
  20. the-plant-enthusiast reblogged this from laronmi and added:
    hope I’m fortunate...never come across one
  21. hammerene reblogged this from hamham-cappy
  22. gothicfeverdream reblogged this from infamousnfamous and added:
    This tree must be stopped
  23. autumninganymede reblogged this from phasmidhugs
  24. wendigoarmada reblogged this from laronmi and added:
    That’s one pissed-off tree.
  25. missingmymind reblogged this from no0lcue
  26. gameboyassassin reblogged this from musclewomaan
  27. thycora reblogged this from hama0n
  28. infectedwiththedeliria reblogged this from mystolendoctor
  29. bedbathoryandbeyond reblogged this from isleofconclusions