› added 11 years ago

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TIL the Manchineel tree, native to Florida, considered the most poisonous tree in the world, causes painful blisters if you stand under it during rain, blinds you if smoke from its burned wood touches your eyes, can poison water with its leaves and will cause death if you eat its fruits.

MeVeW TIL when Gandhi's wife was stricken with pneumonia, doctors told her husband that a shot of penicillin would heal her, he refused to have "alien" medicine used and she died. Soon after, Gandhi caught malaria and, relenting from the standard applied to his wife, allowed doctors to save his life.
QJ5rM TIL that the spice known Coriander are the ground up seeds of another seasoning: Cilantro.
DOvP TIL Human kidneys can only make urine that is less salty than salt water. Therefore, to get rid of all the excess salt taken in by drinking seawater, you have to urinate more water than you drank. Eventually, you die of dehydration even as you become thirstier.
g414 TIL prior to WWII, Los Angeles had one of the most advanced and efficient light rail systems in the country. This privately-run rail system was purchased by a company owned by General Motors, and slowly dismantled in order to drive demand for more cars and buses.
rRogM TIL FDR is the only physically disabled person to be US President. Paralysed from the waist down, ramps for his wheelchair were installed at the White House. This was hidden from the public. In speeches he used his head to make gestures because his hands were gripping the lectern to remain upright.