The “mighty pong-pong tree” is not to be trifled with.
“The seeds of the fruit are toxic,” she says.
“It’s very poisonous.”
Jason Isaacs in ‘The White Lotus’.Credit:Max
Fast-forward eight episodes to theseason 3 finaleand Timothy (Jason Isaacs) is again asking Pam about the fruit.
“So don’t eat it.”
Spoiler: not good.
Jason Isaacs in ‘The White Lotus’.Max
IsThe White Lotus' “suicide tree” real?
The fruit that grows on its branches is called othalanga, and it has a bitter taste.
How frequently?
The othalanga fruit on the pong-pong tree.Getty
Getty
More than you might think, sad to say.
The othalanga is still responsible for many deaths today.
In 2012,seven students in Keralamade headlines after attempting to end their lives by consuming the fruit.
Three years later, four rowing athletes did the same, resulting inone of them dying.
“It is the perfect murder,” he said.
What does its poison do to the body?
Most studies list nausea and vomiting as symptoms, while others cite acute abdominal pain as well.
How is pong-pong poisoning treated?
The best treatment, per multiple studies, includes the medicine atropine and temporary pacemaker insertion.
The othalanga fruit on the pong-pong tree.Getty
There is, however, no magic cure to alleviate the effects of the othalanga.
How is the tree and its fruit utilized onThe White Lotus?
The next morning, Lochlan makes himself a protein shake without cleaning the blender.
Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey on ‘The White Lotus’.Fabio Lovino/HBO
He gets sick soon after consuming it, and begins vomiting and having visions of his own death.
Does Lachlan die inThe White Lotusseason 3 finale?
Stefano Delia/HBO
Thankfully, Lochlan’s dose wasn’t fatal, and he wakes up in Timothy’s arms.
Sam Nivola and Jason Isaacs on ‘The White Lotus’.Stefano Delia/HBO
His survival is likely due to the dosage, which looked quite small.
