Pong pong tree's poison fruit: The true 'suicide tree' behind 'White Lotus' defined

[ad_1] The season 3 finale of "The White Lotus" not too long ago aired — with the episode that includes the "pong pong tree," a plant with fruit so poisonous that it's nicknamed "the suicide tree."

Whereas viewers might imagine that is only a plot system fabricated for dramatic impact, the tree, its fruit and its killer seeds are actual.

Native to Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and components of Australia, Cerbera odollam – also called the pong pong tree – belongs to the dogbane household, which additionally consists of different toxic crops, in accordance with a Nationwide Geographic report.

AMERICANS SHOULD EAT MORE OF THESE INVASIVE ANIMALS, SAY EXPERTS

The pong pong tree produces white, aromatic flowers in addition to a fruit similar to an apple .

On the core of the fruit is a extremely poisonous seed, WebMD famous.

A majority of the poison within the pong pong tree is concentrated within the fruit's seeds. The "suicide tree" was a plot level featured in "The White Lotus." (Getty; iStock)

The seed accommodates concentrated quantities of cerberin, a bitter-tasting, toxic substance that may be lethal with out immediate medical care .

Cerberin is a cardiac glycoside, an natural compound that slows down coronary heart operate.

ALLIGATOR MEAT IS OK TO EAT ON FRIDAYS DURING LENT, HERE'S WHY AND HOW TO PREPARE IT

The tree was concerned in over 500 deaths between 1989 and 1999, in accordance with WebMD.

When ingested, cerberin is absorbed into the bloodstream from the abdomen, the place it may possibly start to gradual an individual's coronary heart charge in as little as an hour, Nationwide Geographic said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Preliminary signs could embody nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, escalating to irregular heart rhythms or coronary heart failure.

One doable antidote could possibly be digoxin immune FAB — however in a 2018 examine, three sufferers died even after being given the injection. (iStock)

"It should mainly override the polarization throughout the physique that is required for the center muscle to contract and chill out," stated Owen McDougal, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Boise State College, within the report.

"With out the impulse and rest phases, the center muscle simply stops working."

He added, "It is not a fascinating method to go."

The pong pong tree was concerned in over 500 deaths between 1989 and 1999, in accordance with WebMD. (iStock)

Every particular person's response to the toxin will rely upon a wide range of components, together with age, gender, measurement and different medical conditions , the report said.

Most exposures will trigger dying inside three to 6 hours, WebMD famous, however some circumstances could also be treatable relying on severity and period of time since ingestion.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Some research have prompt that getting speedy medical consideration might cut back mortality to 12%, per the above supply.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit foxnews.com/lifestyle

"Consuming Cerbera odollam seeds is extraordinarily harmful and needs to be prevented in any respect prices," the WebMD report says.

"In the event you’re ever in a state of affairs the place you by accident eat these seeds, name the emergency providers instantly."

Khloe Quill is a lifestyle manufacturing assistant with Fox Information Digital. She and the approach to life workforce cowl a variety of story matters together with foods and drinks, journey, and well being.