POISONOUS AND INJURIOUS PLANTS 53 
which occasionally persist until the tree is mature. The large, thin, 
heart-shaped, hairy leaves are borne alternately along the stem on 
leaf stems that are longer than the leaf blades; the leaves are 2 to 4 
inches wide with dull, abruptly-pointed tips. The trees are not 
completely deciduous, though they shed many of their leaves during 
the dry season. The small, reddish flowers are borne on terminal 
spikes during the fall months. The fleshy fruits, borne on stout stems, 
contain 10 to 14 sections; each section contains a round, compressed, 
gray seed, almost 1 inch in diameter. The fruits are about 3 inches in 
diameter, 114 inches thick, and concave at both ends. They are green 
and smooth when young and become brown, hard, and woody at 
maturity, from April to June, when they noisily split open into many 
moon-shaped, one-seeded sections. The plants contain an acrid, milky 
sap. Propagation is by seeds or cuttings. 
DIsTRIBUTION AND Haprrat.—This tree is found on all of the Virgin 
Islands, most commonly in the wetter districts. Trees grow singly 
or in small patches, along streams, in wooded areas, and in open 
pastures. They are commonly found in fence rows, serving as living 
fence posts and shade. Occasionally they are planted in villages near 
dwellings for use as shade trees. The trees do not occur near the 
sea nor in the driest windblown areas. Their copious seed production 
and unique method of dissemination enhances the distribution and 
survival of the plants. 
Toxiciry AnD Symptroms.—The sap of sandbox causes severe irrita- 
tion to the skin (77). Its ripe fruits are dangerous to handle because 
they explode violently, scattering seeds in every direction. Livestock 
have been injured by its spines and exploding pods. The seeds have 
poisonous properties similar to those of castorbean and jumbee bead 
(36), and are toxic to all classes of livestock and humans. Sandbox 
poisoning produces nausea, vomiting, gastric pain, bloody diarrhea, 
rapid pulse, and dullness of vision. Large amounts may lead to 
death in convulsions or exhaustion. 
MANAGEMENT AND Controy.—The use of sandbox for shade and 
living fence posts and the occurrence of plants in pastures and other 
accessible locations create a control problem. Livestock, especially 
hogs, should be denied access, especially to the seeds, which are the 
most poisonous part of the plant. Livestock do not ordinarily browse 
on the plants, and should never be tethered or confined where they have 
access to sandbox. ‘Trees should not be allowed to grow in pigpens 
or hog pastures. Undesirable plants must be grubbed out or killed 
with selective herbicides; young plants form regrowth following cut- 
ting or brushchopping. 
Leguminosae, or Legume, Family 
Indigofera suffruticosa Mill. (fig. 29) 
Description.—This erect shrub, usually 4 to 6 feet high has slender 
branches. The young branches and usually the leaves are covered 
with short, whitish hairs. The alternate, compound leaves are dark 
green above and pale beneath; they are 2 to 5 inches long and bear 9 to 
17 leaflets, which are paired except for a single leaflet at the tip. 
The oblong leaflets are about 1 inch long, narrowed at the base, and 
rounded at the tip. The small, light-blue flowers are borne in short- 
