 After "covering his face, keeping at arms length from the plant, and carefully washing hands and face...felt the effects on the eyelids, nostrils, and lips for several hours..." However, those cultivating the plant at Kew Gardens frequently handle the plant without feeling any effects.Seedlings start non-toxic and become toxic after some damage.Touching it without harming it disables its toxic properties.The zulu name for the tree is "umdlebe" and its toxic properties are described in their oral tradition.