A Walk by the Well and a Very Lucky Escape
The Morning Discovery
I started my day today with a purpose. Before heading to school for some important business, I took an early morning walk to finally get a good look at that tree I’d rushed past on Tuesday. https://steemit.com/hive-166850/@dreeyor/7dnrcn-today
I found it standing tall right next to a local well, a car was parked right next to it. The red fruits were glowing in the early light, looking incredibly tempting.
Advice from the Experts (The Local Kids)
I was just about to reach for one when a group of kids nearby stopped me. They gave me some "street wisdom" that I later found out is backed by serious science: "Don't pluck it. Wait for it to yawn." They explained that you only eat the creamy covering inside, but only after the fruit opens up on its own. Looking at the size of the outer pod compared to the tiny seeds inside, I was a bit disappointed. It’s a lot of "packaging" for a very small snack!
The Science: Why My Caution Saved Me
I did some digging, and it turns out my hesitation was a "close save." This tree is the Ackee (Blighia sapida), known locally in Nigeria as Ishin.
Here is the scary part: when this fruit is closed (unripe), it is essentially a chemical weapon. It contains a potent toxin called Hypoglycin A. If I had plucked and eaten it today, I wouldn't just be "stuck at home" for two days—I could have faced Jamaican Vomiting Sickness.
Technical Note: Hypoglycin A is a non-protein amino acid that blocks the body's ability to release stored glucose. This leads to severe hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar), repetitive vomiting, and in severe cases, seizures or worse.
A Lesson in Patience
The kids were right—the tree "detoxifies" itself. As the fruit ripens and sunlight hits it, the toxin levels in the edible part (the aril) drop significantly. Only when it "smiles" or "yawns" open is it considered safe to harvest.
Given my past history with local plants, I’m sticking to photography for now. This Ishin tree is beautiful, but I’m not ready to gamble with Hypoglycin A!
References & Scientific Sources:
- Botanical Name: Blighia sapida (Sapindaceae family).
- Toxin Information: StatPearls NCBI - Ackee Fruit Toxicity (Hypoglycin A & B mechanism).
- Clinical Data: FDA Consumer Updates - Hypoglycin A and Ackee Fruit safety guidelines.
- Local Context: ResearchGate - Insights into the phytochemical properties of Blighia sapida in Nigeria.