Velero Reginavideo
Exploring the Jungle. The Manchineel of Death, the most poisonous tree on the planet
11 July 2025 · 35 min · 899 views · Chacachacare
What this video covers
A 40-foot sailboat transits from Chaguaramas to the anchorage at Chacachacare, Trinidad, to explore the ruins of a former leper colony.0:45 The crew reports heavy marine growth on the hull, which they attribute to the waters around Trinidad and Grenada, noting that the fouling is severe enough to potentially obstruct the engine's raw water intake.2:07 During a jungle trek to locate the abandoned colony buildings, the crew encounters the *Hippomane mancinella*, or manchineel tree, which they identify as the most poisonous tree on the planet.11:10 They warn that contact with the tree’s sap causes severe blistering and that rainwater dripping from its leaves is caustic.11:35 The expedition through the dense vegetation reveals several derelict structures, including a power station and residential buildings, now reclaimed by the jungle.19:53 The crew also visits a small cemetery containing the graves of nuns who served at the facility.32:34 The trek is complicated by dense clouds of mosquitoes and the presence of venomous flora.8:32
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