Hura crepitans
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Hura crepitans, the sandbox tree,[1] also known as possumwood, monkey no-climb, assacu (from Tupi asaku) and jabillo,[2] is an evergreen tree in the family Euphorbiaceae, native to tropical regions of North and South America including the Amazon rainforest. It is also present in parts of Tanzania, where it is considered an invasive species.[3] Because its fruits explode when ripe, it has also received the colloquial nickname the dynamite tree.[4][5]
Description
The sandbox tree can grow to Script error: No such module "convert". in height,[6] and up to Script error: No such module "convert". in girth at Script error: No such module "convert". above the ground;[7] its large ovate leaves grow to Script error: No such module "convert". wide. The trees are monoecious, with red, un-petaled flowers. Male flowers grow on long spikes, while female flowers grow alone in leaf axils. The trunk is covered in long, sharp spikes that secrete poisonous sap. The sandbox tree's fruits are large, pumpkin-shaped capsules, Script error: No such module "convert". long, Script error: No such module "convert". diameter, with 16 carpels arranged radially. Its seeds are flattened and about Script error: No such module "convert". diameter. The capsules explode when ripe, splitting into segments and launching seeds at Script error: No such module "convert"..[4] One source states that ripe capsules catapult their seeds as far as Script error: No such module "convert"..[8]Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Another source states that seeds are thrown as far as Script error: No such module "convert". from a tree, most commonly Script error: No such module "convert"..[9] High-speed video analysis of its exploding fruit revealed that sandbox seeds fly with backspin[10] as opposed to topspin, which had been previously assumed.[6] Backspin helps seeds remain oriented to minimize their drag during flight.[11]
Habitat
This tree prefers wet soil, and partial shade or partial to full sun. It is often cultivated for shade. Sandbox trees are tropical trees and prefer warmer, more humid environments.
Uses
Its wood is light enough that indigenous people used it to make canoes.[12] Fishermen have been said to use the milky, caustic sap from this tree to poison fish.[13] The Caribs made arrow poison from its sap.[14] The wood is used for furniture under the name "hura". In a time when most writing pens left wet ink on the page, the trees' unripe seed capsules were sawn in half to make decorative boxes (also called pounce pots) to hold the "sand" used to dry it, hence the name 'sandbox tree'. It has been documented as a herbal remedy.[15]
The seeds contain an oil that is toxic for consumption but can be made into biodiesel and soap; the starchy leftovers after extracting the oil from the seeds can be made into animal feed after cooking.[12]
Gallery
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Large sandbox tree in Honolulu
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Hura crepitans in Vietnam
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Hura crepitans in Saint John, U.S. Virgin Islands
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Spiny trunk of Hura crepitans
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Leaf of Hura crepitans
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Hura crepitans fruit carpel
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Hura crepitans fruit carpel, opposite side
References
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