Cerbera

Cerbera is a genus of evergreen small trees or shrubs, native to tropical Asia, Australia, Madagascar,and various islands in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.

Three trees of this genus are mangroves, Cerbera floribunda, Cerbera manghas and Cerbera odollam.

The leaves are alternate and lack interpetiolar stipules. The tubular corollas are actinomorphic, i.e. they are symmetric and can be divided in halves along any diameter. All trees contain a white latex. The fruits are drupes.

The genus is named after Cerberus because all its parts are poisonous : they contain cerberin, a cardiac glycoside, a substance that blocks electric impulses in the body (including the beating of the heart). Never use Cerbera wood to light a fire. Even its smoke may cause poisoning. Cerbera odollam poisoning was a significant cause of death in Madagascar in Victorian times.