Hura Creptians

Occurrence

Native to tropical America. Central, South America and the Caribbean.

Economical/Ethnobotanical use

This tree is cultivated often as an ornamental plant.

The plant is used as a fish and arrow poison used by native tribes (curare). The timber of the tree is often use for interior construction, carpentry, boxes and crates.

Medicinal uses

A decoction of the leaves heals colic. As well mixed with castor oil is utilized to burst pustular tumors.

The seeds are toxic, the latex is extremely caustic and can cause irritation on the skin and cause blindness if it makes contact with the eye.

The leaves are used in a bath infusion are said to treat leprosy. An infusion taken is said to treat rheumatism and intestinal worms.

Toxicity

The latex, seeds, fruit, and bark are poisonous.

"Hura crepitans, the sandbox tree" by Tatters ✾ is licensed under CC0 1.z