MARCH 2018



‘Don’t sit under the Manchineel Tree …….’



Not quite how the song goes and thankfully not something that you can do here at Mellerstain but nevertheless we do have a room dedicated to the most poisonous tree in the world!


As you enter our glorious Manchineel Room on the south front of the house, you will be struck by the splendid beauty of the Manchineel furniture after which the room is named but you might be a little more surprised to discover its origins.



Manchineel wood is obtained from Hippomane Mancinella, one of the most famous and poisonous trees of tropical America. The tree is native to the Caribbean, Florida, The Bahamas, Mexico, Central America and northern South America. The manchineel tree can be commonly found on coastal beaches and in swamps where it grows amongst the mangroves. It provides excellent natural windbreaks and its roots help to stabilize the sand, thus helping to prevent beach erosion.


However, the name manchineel is derived from Spanish manzanilla (little apple), from the superficial resemblance of its fruit and leaves to those of an apple tree. A present day Spanish name is in fact manzanilla de la muerte, "little apple of death", referring to the fact that manchineel is one of the most dangerous and poisonous trees in the world. There is even a legend that those who sleep in the shade of this tree do not awaken, hence the Portuguese name ‘Arvore da morte’ and the Spanish ‘Arbol de la muerte’.



Whilst these descriptions are extremely dramatic, there is no doubt that all parts of the tree including the little apples do contain strong toxins. Even standing beneath the tree during rain will cause the skin to blister from mere contact with even a small drop of the milky substance. And the fruit itself is possibly fatal if eaten.


But despite the inherent dangers associated, once the wood has been cut and left to dry in the sun to remove the sap, the tree has been used as a source of high quality timber by Caribbean carpenters for centuries. Manchineel has been used for interior finish, cabinets, tables and other furniture, the wood is of medium hardness and weight and is somewhat like walnut. It is easy to work with, takes a good polish and is said to have a scent of lavender.


Enter the Manchineel Room
As you enter our Manchineel Room on the south front of the house, named after the afore-mentioned West Indian wood which was fashionable in the early to mid 1800’s, a wonderful collection awaits. The room was originally designed as a main bedroom, however could be equally at home as part of a suite of bedrooms, it being possible to communicate with the Blue and Green Rooms next door. We also have manchineel pieces in the Rose Bedroom.




In this room the fashionable Manchineel wood is best demonstrated by the dressing table and mirror between the windows, the cheval mirror behind the lady’s dress, the bow-fronted chest and the large wardrobe on your left. Look out for the bell pull brocade hanging to the right of the fireplace. A wire runs from the top of it via a system of pulley wheels and down two floors to the bell box in the Butler’s Pantry. A pull of this brocade would give a signal to the Butler that coal was required for the fire or perhaps it was time for some afternoon tea.


This is indeed an enchanting bedroom and its calm beauty certainly belies its more dramatic origins.








Mellerstain House, Gordon, Scottish Borders TD3 6LG
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Tel: 01573 410 225


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