In the wild and wacky world of botany, there’s a plant that’s been known to literally blow people away: Hura crepitans, also known as the “dynamite tree.”
Image credit: David Barnas / Cristóbal Alvarado Minic
Yes, you heard that right. The dynamite tree is so named because its fruit pods can actually explode with a loud bang, scattering its seeds up to 330 feet (100 meters) away. And we’re not talking about a cute little pop here – we’re talking about a sound that can rival a small explosion.
Native to Central and South America, the dynamite tree is among the largest trees of tropical America, with a height of 100 feet (30 meters) and a girth of more than 3.3 feet (1 meter).
The trunk is covered in long, sharp spikes that secrete poisonous sap. The tree produces small greenish-yellow flowers that grow in clusters, followed by distinctive fruits that resemble small pumpkins.
A young tree with some serious spikes. Image credit: dotun55
These fruits are known as “capsules” and can grow up to 6 inches in diameter. They are covered in spiky, woody protuberances and contain between two to six seeds.
What makes these fruits truly unique is their nature of exploding with a force enough to injure persons or livestock.
In fact, there are countless stories of the dynamite tree wreaking havoc on unsuspecting passersby. There was the time a fruit pod fell on a car, causing the driver to swerve off the road in a panic. Or the time a fruit exploded near a group of tourists, sending them running in all directions like a scene from a cartoon.
The exploding pod of the dynamite tree. Image credit: Dick Culbert
But perhaps the funniest (or saddest) story of them all is the time a man was trying to collect the seeds from a dynamite tree when a fruit exploded in his face, knocking him unconscious. When he woke up, he discovered that not only had he lost his sense of hearing, but he also had a face full of tiny shrapnel wounds. Talk about a bad day.
The mechanism behind the dynamite tree’s explosive fruits is fascinating. The capsules contain an internal structure made up of layers of tissue that separate from each other as they dry out. When the capsules reach maturity, the layers of tissue contract and create tension. Eventually, this tension builds up to the point where the capsules burst open, releasing a loud noise and sending the seeds flying.
The dynamite tree’s exploding pods aren’t just for show though. Those loud bangs they create when they burst open actually have a purpose. It’s all part of the tree’s clever plan to disperse its seeds over a wider area and increase the chances of survival for the species.
Image credit: Paul Bolstad
And as if that wasn’t enough, the spiky protuberances on the capsules also deter animals from snacking on them before the seeds have a chance to grow. Attack and defense, all in one pod.
Actually, those capsules should deter you too. So, the next time you find yourself wandering through the jungle, keep an eye out for the dynamite tree. And if you hear a loud bang, for the love of all that is good, duck and cover. Trust us, you don’t want to mess with Mother Nature’s version of a hand grenade.
Sources: 1, 2, 3
