Sandbox Tree

The Sandbox tree (Hura crepitans; syn. Hura brasiliensis Wild.), also known as Possumwood and Jabillo, is an evergreen tree of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae), native to tropical regions of North and South America in Amazon Rainforest. It is recognized by the many dark, pointed spines and smooth brown bark. These spines have caused it to be called Monkey no-climb.

Sandbox trees can grow to 100 ft, and the large ovate leaves grow to two feet wide. They are monoecious. The red flowers have no petals. Male flowers grow on long spikes; female flowers are solitary in axils. The fruit is a large capsule with explosive dehiscence. When ripe, pods catapult the seeds as far as 100 meters (328 ft). It has also been known as the Dynamite tree, so named for the explosive sound of the ripe fruit as it splits into segments.

This tree prefers wet soil, and partial shade or partial sun to full sun. It is often cultivated for shade.

Fishermen have been said to use the milky, caustic sap from this tree to poison fish. The wood is used for furniture under the name "hura".

Hura crepitans is an additive to some forms of the hallucinogenic drink Ayahuasca.

General references

 * Center for Wood Anatomy Research, details about the wood of the Sandbox tree
 * Sandbox tree page at the John C. Gifford Arboretum site (University of Miami)