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How Deadly Is the Pong Pong Tree from The White Lotus?
Jul 8, 2026 6:54 PM

  How Deadly Is the Pong Pong Tree from The White Lotus? Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/How-Deadly-Is-the-Pong-Pong-Tree-from-The-White-Lotus Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

  External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Melissa Petruzzello Melissa Petruzzello is Assistant Managing Editor and covers a range of content including plants, algae, and fungi; insects and spiders; and renewable energy and environmental engineering. She also handles... Melissa Petruzzello Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Apr 7, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot One of the most poisonous plants of Asia, the pong pong—or suicide tree—is getting its 15 minutes of fame in the West thanks to the disturbing finale of the third season of HBO’s acclaimed comedy-drama The White Lotus (aired April 6, 2025). While Hollywood is known for taking creative liberties with scientific topics, little elaboration was needed to capture pong pong’s swift lethality. It really can kill a person (or several people), depending on the dose. Did You Know? The genus name Cerbera is an homage to Cerberus, the three-headed watchdog of the underworld. Ingestion of the toxic seeds of ...(100 of 335 words)

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