# Poisonwood (*Metopium toxiferum*) The Poisonwood tree is a special tree found in tropical areas. It has shiny green leaves and can grow very tall. But be careful! Its sap can make your skin itchy. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Tropical forests ![Poisonwood](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Starr_031108-2123_Metopium_toxiferum.jpg&width=800) Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_031108-2123_Metopium_toxiferum.jpg) ## Appearance The Poisonwood is a medium-sized tree with shiny, reddish-brown bark that peels in large flakes. Its leaves are glossy, bright green, often with reddish stems, and its small, yellowish-green flowers are followed by distinctive reddish-orange, berry-like fruits. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Sapindales - **Family:** Anacardiaceae - **Genus:** Metopium ## Interesting facts - Despite its toxicity, White-crowned Pigeons safely eat its poisonous fruits! - Even the smoke from burning Poisonwood can cause dangerous skin and lung reactions! - Its sap turns black on contact with air and skin, leaving long-lasting dark stains! - The Poisonwood is in the same plant family as cashews and mangoes! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Sap Defense:** Poisonwood can defend itself with a potent, clear sap that causes severe allergic reactions, deterring most herbivores and humans. - **Warning Fruits:** Poisonwood has bright, reddish-orange fruits that may serve as a visual warning, signaling its toxicity to many potential threats. - **Coastal Resilience:** Poisonwood can thrive in harsh coastal environments, thanks to its ability to tolerate salt spray and nutrient-poor soils. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 200-1500 cm - **Spread:** 300-800 cm - **Flower Size:** 0.3-0.5 cm - **Bloom Season:** Spring - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Deadly - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [White-crowned Pigeon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-crowned-pigeon) (*Columba leucocephala*) — Feeds on its ripe, toxic fruits without harm. - **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar from its small, inconspicuous flowers. - **Shelter:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — Hides among its dense foliage from predators. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Broadleaf Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/broadleaf-tree): Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Toxic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/toxic): Toxic organisms contain substances that are poisonous and can cause adverse effects upon exposure. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High Do not touch the leaves or sap of the Poisonwood tree, as it can make your skin itchy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Poisonwood? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is Poisonwood? 200-1500 cm ### How wide does Poisonwood spread? 300-800 cm ### How big are the flowers on Poisonwood? 0.3-0.5 cm ### When does Poisonwood bloom? Spring ### Is Poisonwood edible? No ### Is Poisonwood toxic? Deadly ### What is Poisonwood's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Shark River Slough Archeological District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shark-river-slough-archeological-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Curry Hammock State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/curry-hammock-state-park) — Florida, US · State Park - [Theater of the Sea](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/theater-of-the-sea) — US · Zoo [View all places to see Poisonwood](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/poisonwood) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Poisonwood: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/poisonwood)