The woman decides to ask a question that we don’t know how the tree answers, since it is not something that is expected from a tree, but, well, life can always surprise us:
Do you know species that defend themselves from the aggressive environment, and that have learned to avoid being the object of predators?
In general, in the past, some ancestors have found very aggressive environments around them and sometimes they have decided to join together for a common purpose and in this way, they have learned to defend themselves. One of the most extreme examples is found in a species that lives in Australia. It is a tree from the nettle family and currently, people who study it have found an interesting source of cutting-edge painkillers. Humans are undoubtedly very skilled at discovering something that at another time would be seen with fear, they place their creativity and valuable faculties.
The Gimpi Gimpi tree has needle-shaped trichomes that inject toxins
Manzanillo de la muerte (Hippomane mancinella) – del Caribe y América Central: Su savia es extremadamente tóxica y puede causar ampollas en la piel. (Fe de erratas en el audio dije America del Sur)
I know there are many more, but you would have to investigate them yourself, since they reach me thanks to the animals that visit me and provide me with information in their way, but not from everyone else. As with other species on the planet, it is vital that what is known as toxicity exists, to face life and the environment, to benefit from the environment and often as a resource to maintain oneself when the environment is not friendly and it is difficult to find allied species.
You are right, explains the woman, similar cases occur among humans, many people become toxic because of the life they have led, because they have suffered and even without wanting it, they become beings that are not easy to deal with. So, the woman decides to look up some data on her computer… She finds information on toxic trees that exist around the world and points to the tree:
I believe that our relationship should be appropriate, informative and therefore since you have opened a door of light to your knowledge, I believe that I can describe what humanity knows and treasures in its networks of relationships that, although they are not sap, they are vital information media that it calls internet data. Listen, here is a list that opens precisely with the tree that you mentioned to me:
Gympie-Gympie (Dendrocnide moroides) – from Australia: Known for its painful sting that can last for weeks.
Hippomane mancinella – from the Caribbean and Central America: Its sap is extremely toxic and can cause blisters on the skin.
Yew (Taxus baccata) – from Europe: All parts of the tree, except the pulp of the berries, are highly poisonous.
Ricinus communis – from Africa and Asia: Produces ricin, one of the most potent toxins known.
Holly (Ilex aquifolium) – from Europe and North America: Its berries are toxic and can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Jerusalem cherry (Solanum pseudocapsicum) – from South America: Its fruits are toxic and can cause gastrointestinal problems.
Hemlock (Conium maculatum) – from Europe and North America: Known for its high toxicity, it can be fatal if ingested
The tree is silent and points:
The wonderful nature is a tool, a faculty, an abyss of possibilities and a door of light as you have pointed out, thank you very much.
