Cerberus mangas is an evergreen shrub or, more often, a small tree , reaching 1–20 m in height, with plentiful white latex . Leaves on petioles 1-5 cm long, lamellae themselves oblong or obovate-lanceolate, 8-23 × 2.5-7 cm, with a blunt or pointed end.
The inflorescence reaches 20 cm in length and width, with fragrant flowers . Bracts quickly fall. Corolla with a pure white limb and a red-pink tube. The calyx is divided into ovoid-quadrangular or ovoid-triangular sepals. Stamens 1 mm long, with lanceolate anthers up to 2.7 mm long. Pestle 1 mm long, stigma up to 2 mm in diameter.
The fruit is ovoid, green, when ripe bright red, about 9 × 6 × 5 cm.
The natural habitat of Cerberus mangas is the islands of Malaysia to Tuamotu , as well as Seychelles and Comoros .
Latex Cerberus is used in medicine of some peoples of Malaysia, in particular, to induce vomiting in case of poisoning. It contains the strongest cardiac glycoside cerberin , which can cause human death in large quantities. Inhalation of Cerberus vapor can cause severe malaise. Philippine fishermen used plant seeds to kill fish.
The peoples of East Africa and Madagascar used Cerberus seeds to prove the guilt of the defendant. If, after eating a few seeds of a plant, he remained alive, he was considered innocent, but he who gave his life was guilty.
Dried Cerberus leaves in folk medicine are applied to places of skin irritation.
Cerberus fruits look a bit like mangoes (hence the specific name), but they are very bitter in taste. There are known cases of poisoning people who confused them.
A botanical illustration from
Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen book, 1887. In the original edition, the illustration is signed by the name
Cerbera Tanghin , which is included in the synonymy of the species
