Hippomane

Linnaeus

Sp. Pl. 2: 1191. 1753.

Common names: Manchineel
Etymology: Greek hippos, horse, and mania, fury, alluding to effect of the caustic latex on horses
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 12. Treatment on page 232. Mentioned on page 157, 159, 233.

Trees, monoecious; hairs absent; latex white. Leaves persistent, alternate, simple; stipules present, caducous; petiole present, glands at apex; blade unlobed, margins remotely serrate or crenate, laminar glands absent; venation pinnate. Inflorescences bisexual (pistillate flowers proximal, staminate distal), terminal, spikelike thyrses; glands subtending each bract 2. Pedicels: staminate present, pistillate rudimentary. Staminate flowers: sepals 2, imbricate, connate proximally; petals 0; nectary absent; stamens 2, connate basally; pistillode absent. Pistillate flowers: sepals 3[–4], connate proximally; petals 0; nectary absent; pistil 6–9-carpellate; styles 6–9, connate basally, unbranched. Fruits drupes. Seeds elliptic-compressed; caruncle absent. x = 11.

Distribution

Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, n South America, Pacific Islands (Galápagos Islands).

Discussion

Species 2 or 3 (1 in the flora).

Hippomane horrida Urban & Ekman and H. spinosa Linnaeus are endemic to Hispaniola.

Selected References

None.

... more about "Hippomane"
Michael J. Huft +
Linnaeus +
Manchineel +
Fla. +, Mexico +, West Indies +, Central America +, n South America +  and Pacific Islands (Galápagos Islands). +
Greek hippos, horse, and mania, fury, alluding to effect of the caustic latex on horses +
Hippomane +
Euphorbiaceae +