Hura crepitans (Sandbox Tree)

Native to tropical North and South America, sandbox tree is a large tree that can reach about forty meters tall. Its gray trunk bears dark, cone-shaped spines, and injured tissues release white sap. Broad, papery leaves have slightly toothed margins and long stalks. Male and female flowers occur on the same plant: petal-free red male flowers form spikes, while solitary reddish brown female flowers arise in leaf axils. The pumpkin-shaped fruit matures into a reddish brown capsule containing flattened seeds. Ripe, dry capsules burst explosively, throwing the seeds away from the tree. The plant is poisonous if eaten, and its sap is an irritant. Photographed in Colombia.