Family: Euphorbiaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 2: 1288 (1759)
Year: 1759
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Excoecaria
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Asia to W. Pacific
Description
The River poisontree, scientifically known as Excoecaria agallocha, is a noteworthy species belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae. This fascinating plant, first described by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work “Systema Naturae” in 1759, is native to the tropical and subtropical regions stretching from Asia to the western Pacific.
Excoecaria agallocha thrives in diverse coastal environments, primarily in mangrove forests and tidal zones, where it has adapted to saline conditions. The tree typically grows to a medium height, sporting leathery, oval leaves that exhibit vibrant green hues. These leaves, along with the tree’s sap, are known for their toxic properties, making the River poisontree infamous in various indigenous cultures. Contact with the tree’s sap can cause severe skin irritation and blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes.
Despite its toxic reputation, the River poisontree plays a significant ecological role in its native habitats. It provides essential shelter and breeding grounds for numerous wildlife species, contributing to the densely intertwined ecosystem of the mangroves. Additionally, the tree’s ability to withstand and thrive in saline environments makes it a critical player in shoreline stabilization and erosion prevention, safeguarding coastal landscapes from the relentless forces of waves and tides.
In traditional medicine, parts of Excoecaria agallocha have historically been used, cautiously, for certain therapeutic purposes, although such practices are undertaken with great care due to the tree’s potent toxicity. The tree’s extracts have been studied for possible medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Overall, the River poisontree stands out as a plant of paradox – both dangerous and invaluable – highlighting the complex interdependencies in nature and the intricate balance required to maintain ecological health. Its presence across the coasts of tropical and subtropical Asia to the western Pacific underscores its significance in the botanical and ecological tapestry of these regions.
Common Names
Msa: bebuta, buta-buta
Eng: blind-your-eye, blind-your-eye mangrove, blind-your-eyes-tree, blindingtree, milky mangrove, river poisontree, scrub poisontree
Ben: gewa
Zho: hai qi
Jpn: シマシラキ
En: River poisontree, Scrub poisontree, Milky mangrove, Blind-your-eye, Blind-your-eye mangrove, Blind-your-eyes-tree, Blindingtree, Blinding Tree, Hai qi
Bn: Gewa
Zh: Hai qi
Ja: シマシラキ
Ms: Bebuta, Buta-buta
: Blinding tree
Synonyms
- Excoecaria affinis (Endl.)
- Excoecaria agallocha var. genuina (Müll.Arg.)
- Commia cochinchinensis (Lour.)
- Excoecaria agallocha var. lancifolia (Pax & K.Hoffm.)
- Excoecaria agallocha var. camettia ((Willd.) Müll.Arg.)
- Excoecaria ovalis (Endl.)
- Stillingia agallocha ((L.) Baill.)
- Excoecaria camettia (Willd.)
- Excoecaria agallocha var. orthostichalis (Müll.Arg.)
- Excoecaria agallocha var. ovalis ((Endl.) Müll.Arg.)
- Excoecaria sphaerosperma (F.Muell. ex Pax)
Distribution
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Bangladesh (native)
- Bismarck Archipelago (native)
- Borneo (native)
- Cambodia (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Hainan (native)
- India (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Nicobar Is. (native)
- Niue (native)
- Norfolk Is. (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Samoa (native)
- Santa Cruz Is. (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Sumatera (native)
- Taiwan (native)
- Thailand (native)
- Tonga (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
- Western Australia (native)
Additional Images
Habit
Taken Jan 18, 2015 by Endemia – Benoît Henry (cc-by-nc)
Taken Dec 10, 2009 by Endemia – Benoît Henry (cc-by-nc)
Taken Dec 10, 2009 by Endemia – Benoît Henry (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 18, 2015 by Endemia – Benoît Henry (cc-by-nc)
Taken Feb 6, 2011 by Endemia – Benoît Henry (cc-by-nc)
Flower
Taken Dec 10, 2009 by Endemia – Benoît Henry (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Endemia – Jean-Marie Veillon (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 18, 2015 by Endemia – Benoît Henry (cc-by-nc)
Taken Nov 10, 2020 by Doris Hoarau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2020 by Gaïa sevxfab (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 7, 2020 by J J Tamssom (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 10, 2019 by Prakash Rudraraju (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Endemia – Dominique Garnier (cc-by-nc)
Taken Dec 28, 2019 by Hugues Ferrand (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 18, 2015 by Endemia – Benoît Henry (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Endemia – Julien Barrault (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Endemia – Julien Barrault (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 5, 2020 by Hugues Ferrand (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 28, 2019 by Hugues Ferrand (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jun 29, 2022 by Shouvik Kundu (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2020 by Gaïa sevxfab (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 10, 2020 by Doris Hoarau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 20, 2020 by Gaïa sevxfab (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 28, 2019 by Hugues Ferrand (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3071702)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:348815-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Excoecaria agallocha L.)