Poison fruit in 'White Lotus' comes from 'suicide tree': Is it real?

While viewers may think this is just a plot device fabricated for dramatic effect, the tree, its fruit and its killer seeds are real.

Native to Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and parts of Australia, Cerbera odollam - also known as the pong pong tree - belongs to the dogbane family, which also includes other poisonous plants, according to a National Geographic report.

At the core of the fruit is a highly toxic seed, WebMD noted.

Cerberin is a cardiac glycoside, an organic compound that slows down heart function.

The tree was involved in over 500 deaths between 1989 and 1999, according to WebMD. 

When ingested, cerberin is absorbed into the bloodstream from the stomach, where it can begin to slow a person's heart rate in as little as an hour, National Geographic stated. 

"It will basically override the polarization within the body that's required for the heart muscle to contract and relax," said Owen McDougal, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Boise State University, in the report. 

"Without the impulse and relaxation phases, the heart muscle just stops working."

He added, "It's not a desirable way to go."

Most exposures will cause death within three to six hours, WebMD noted, but some cases may be treatable depending on severity and amount of time since ingestion.

Some studies have suggested that getting immediate medical attention could reduce mortality to 12%, per the above source.

"Eating Cerbera odollam seeds is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs," the WebMD report says. 

"If you're ever in a situation where you accidentally eat these seeds, call the emergency services immediately."