National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Virgin Islands National Park Enjoy the Beautiful Trails of Manchineel or Death Apple (extremely toxic) Plants to Avoid while Hiking Found near and on coastal beaches, has shiny heart- Virgin Islands National Park shaped leaves with Virgin Islands National Park offers a variety of yellow veins. Ingestion hiking adventures for the entire family and for all of the small green apple- “Look But Don’t Touch!” skill and ability levels. like fruit can cause This brochure, which describes plants to be avoided Death! while hiking as well as precautions and remedies Symptoms: Severe should you come in contact with any of them, will burning and blistering of help you know your surroundings for a safe and the skin, temporary enjoyable trail time. blindness. Help us protect park resources include: O Remedy: Wash with soap and water; if severe Remove all trash when you leave. Should you wish to learn more, a simple Internet O reaction, seek medical treatment. Campfires are prohibited. search will provide a wealth of information. O Pets off leash or on beaches are prohibited. O Do not collect or rocks. A small shrub that is found in Christmas Bush open canopies and along For your Safety trails. It has dark green O Do not leave valuables unattended. leaves that can have a O Always wear reef safe sunscreen. reddish hue. It resembles O Vehicles parked on roadway will be holly. ticketed/towed. Symptoms: Burning, O Do not eat any fruits or berries. itching skin, swelling, irritation and rash that Respect Others can last up to several weeks. O No smoking on beaches. Remedy: Possible use of anti-itch creams or O Loud music is prohibited. ointments. O Nudity is prohibited Stinging Nettle A twining vine that has stinging nettle hairs. Typically found in disturbed areas, along trails and in moist forests. Symptoms: Instant pain and burning, rash National Park Service and sometimes blisters. U.S. Department of the Interior Remedy: Possible use of anti-itch creams or ointments. Virgin Islands National Park 1300 Cruz Bay Creek In case of EMERGENCY DIAL 911 St. John, USVI 00830 (340) 776-6201 ext. 238 From Cell Phone DIAL (340) 776-9110 Plants to Avoid Casha Tree Found in drier areas along the coastline, Pinguin or False Pineapple Introduced to the Distinguished by their umbrella-shaped flowers and adjacent to trails or on Virgin Islands during the plantation era to serve as a round prickly seed capsules they can grow to a height hillsides. These natural fence line. It of five feet, preferring to grow in full sunlight. common trees can forms dense and Symptoms: Delirium, increased heart rate, rapid reach heights of 30 impenetrable patches and breathing, amnesia and even Death! feet and have dozens thickets and has long, Remedy: Seek immediate medical attention. of spines along the slender, bright green branches. leaves with spiny edges Symptoms: Deep and tips. Typically found Jumbie Bean, Crab's Eye or Rosary (extremely puncture wounds, adjacent to ruins or toxic) redness, painful swelling, localized pain and historic structures and along open trails. A slender vine commonly infection. Symptoms: Scratches, cuts and shallow puncture found in moist, well- Remedy: If infection develops seek medical wounds. drained wooded areas, attention. Remedy: Wash wounds, apply antibiotic ointment or adjacent to clearings or cream. disturbed areas and along roadsides. The bright red Jump-Up-Cactus or Prickly Pear seeds have been used to Common in dry forests, is Catch & Keep A make jewelry and percussion instruments. covered by dozens of common weed that Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, convulsions, liver long, sharp, barbed spines forms dense thickets failure, death. and grows in dense low- of vine-like Remedy: If ingested seek medical attention growing clumps. Spines vegetation. It is found immediately. easily penetrate clothing throughout the island. and can become Covered in hundreds imbedded in skin. of hooked spines, Pencil Euphorbia or Milk Bush (extremely Symptoms: Localized catch and keep is aptly toxic) pain, inflammation, irritation and rash. named for its ability to hook into and hold anything. A small shrub-like tree Remedy: Remove spines carefully to alleviate pain. Symptoms: Barbed spines can penetrate skin causing used as an ornamental dozens of cuts, irritation, redness, swelling and plant. Distinguished by infection. hundreds of bright green Remedy: Wash wounds, apply antibiotic ointment or pencil-thin cylindrical cream. branches, it secretes a milky sap when cut or damaged. Jimson Weed, Symptoms: Skin Prickly Burr or irritation, severe rash and blisters, blindness if it gets Deadly Nightshade in the eyes. (extremely toxic) Remedy: Wash affected area immediately with soap These herbaceous, and water. Seek immediate medical attention for eye poisonous plants are or mouth exposure. found along roadsides and disturbed areas. To prevent contact with hazardous plants, please stay on trails and roadways. .