Oct 19, 2010: Cannonball Tree

Unlike that big Redwood, this baby can fight back, take you out by dropping a "cannonball" on you.

It is the case with a number of plants that they are given popular names which reflect how they look or what they do. So it is with the Cannonball Tree whose fruit is so large that they look like cannonballs. Not only that, when they fall to the ground a large noise is created similar to... you guessed it.

So you will not find a Cannonball Tree near a public pathway or a road. One of these fruit, weighing in at several pounds and often up to ten inches in diameter could kill you. So, you really want to avoid standing directly under them when they are in fruit.

Umm, duh.

The tree (scientific name Couroupita guianensis is native to the south of the Caribbean and to the northern parts of South America. Yet it has also been growing in India for at least two to three thousand years and the jury is out whether it is native there or somehow the trees were transported across the continents several thousand years ago.

Obviously they were propagated in several places... by space aliens. :tinfoil:

link

That tree has balls.


Also looks like a Stage Tree.

SPUCK;689015 wrote:

That tree has balls.


Also looks like a Stage Tree.

Gives whole new meaning to the phrase "Morning Wood".

Yeah, yeah, yeah...they're big and they fall. But how do you eat them?

When the fruit cracks it lets out what can only be described as a foul stench. Passing animals are attracted to this odor and when the seeds pass through their digestive system they will hopefully land on fertile soil and a new tree will take root.

You're only allowed if you poop in the woods. :haha:

why are animals attracted to foul stench? What's with animals? I thought they had GOOD noses...

Brianna;689031 wrote:

why are animals attracted to foul stench? What's with animals? I thought they had GOOD noses...

Humans have the luxury of eating for enjoyment. Animals do it solely for survival. If eating something that stinks means you live another day, you eat something that stinks.

Brianna;689031 wrote:

why are animals attracted to foul stench? What's with animals? I thought they had GOOD noses...

To roll in it, and bring the stench proudly home. :greenface

Brianna;689031 wrote:

why are animals attracted to foul stench? What's with animals? I thought they had GOOD noses...

There are animals whose diet is mostly carrion. Partially decomposed plant and animal matter is easier to eat and digest.

I think the sign needs to be a bit smaller, to bring more people into range.

ToastyOhs;689053 wrote:

There are animals whose diet is mostly carrion. Partially decomposed plant and animal matter is easier to eat and digest.

Anthony Bordain, table for one!

I'll bet there is a species of these that grows by patways, and disguises itself as a money tree.

What's patways?

Ooops, pathways. Blame it on my keyboard.

That the supermarket up there?