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Cerbera odollam

Plants

Family: Apocynaceae · Genus: Cerbera

Cerbera odollam

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About

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.

Summary from Wikipedia

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Growing details and traits for Cerbera odollam in the Library.

No cultivars in the Library yet — the full profile above covers the species itself.