The manchineel tree is native to which region of the world?

The manchineel tree ("Hippomane mancinella") is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family. It is native to the Caribbean, the U.S. state of Florida, The Bahamas, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.

The name "manchineel" (sometimes written "manchioneel") as well as the specific epithet "mancinella" is from Spanish manzanilla ("little apple"), from the superficial resemblance of its fruit and leaves to those of an apple tree. A present-day Spanish name is "manzanilla de la muerte", "little apple of death". This refers to the fact that manchineel is one of the most dangerous trees in the world. Manchineel is also known as "the beach apple".

All parts of the tree contain strong toxins, some unidentified. Its milky white sap contains phorbol and other skin irritants, producing strong allergic contact dermatitis.Standing beneath the tree during rain will cause blistering of the skin from mere contact with this liquid (even a small drop of rain with the milky substance in it will cause the skin to blister). The sap has also been known to damage the paint on cars Burning the tree may cause ocular injuries if the smoke reaches the eyes.

The fruit is possibly fatal if eaten.