The finale of White Lotus Season 3 left fans stunned not only by the drama but also by the introduction of a chilling element — a deadly tropical fruit known as the Pong Pong.
But what truly shook viewers was discovering that the so-called "suicide tree" is not a fictional invention. The Pong Pong fruit, with its menacing reputation, exists in the real world — and it can indeed kill you.
In the final episode, Jason Isaacs’ character, Timothy Ratliff, who had been struggling with dark thoughts throughout the season, contemplates a tragic decision.
Haunted and unstable, he recalls a warning from a hotel staff member in the very first episode: “Don’t eat the fruit hanging over your villa’s pool — it’s poisonous.”
Ignoring the advice, he crushes the Pong Pong seeds and prepares to serve them in a piña colada to his family. Though he backs out at the last moment, his youngest son, Lochlan, accidentally takes a sip — resulting in violent illness.
While this twist added dramatic tension to the fictional tale, the fruit in question — known scientifically as Cerbera odollam — is disturbingly real.
Commonly found in Southeast Asia, the Pacific islands, and parts of northern Australia, the Pong Pong tree has long been feared for its lethal potential. Its seeds contain a powerful toxin called cerberin, which affects the heart and can be fatal if consumed in sufficient quantity.
Dr Matthew Badgett of the Cleveland Clinic told People magazine that the toxin can lead to dangerously high levels of potassium in the blood, severe vomiting, heart block, cardiovascular shock, and ultimately, death. “It’s not just folklore,” he emphasised. “One seed can be deadly.”
The history of the Pong Pong tree adds another disturbing layer. According to a 2004 study, the seeds were once used during witch trials in Madagascar. Accused individuals were forced to eat the fruit. If they died, they were deemed guilty; if they survived, they were considered innocent.
It was a brutal form of trial by ordeal. As chemist Jing-Ke Weng explained, some people survived not because they were truly innocent, but because they had a smaller dose or simply got lucky.
White Lotus appears to have done its homework. Toxicologist Dr Mary Wermuth praised the series for representing the fruit’s effects accurately, though she noted some dramatic licence.
In real life, symptoms usually appear within three hours, whereas Lochlan’s reaction in the show was almost immediate. Nevertheless, if treated promptly, survival is possible.
The medical antidote for cerberin poisoning is digoxin immune fab, which can stabilise the heart — but time is crucial.
So, yes — the infamous fruit featured in White Lotus 3 is indeed real. Known as the "suicide tree" for a reason, the Pong Pong is a beautiful but deadly plant. Whether used in ancient rituals or featured in modern television, its danger remains the same.
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