The Man-Eating Tree of Madagascar

In 1874, a German explorer named Carl Liche allegedly witnessed a human sacrifice to a carnivorous tree in Madagascar. His account, published in the South Australian Register, described a giant plant that consumed a woman while tribal members watched.

The Account

According to Liche, the Mkodo tribe led him to witness a sacred ritual. A woman was forced to climb the trunk of a strange tree. Long tentacles wrapped around her, and acidic fluid from the tree consumed her alive as the tribe danced and drank her blood mixed with the tree’s sap.

The Description

The tree was described as having a trunk like a pineapple, eight long leaves like pythons, and numerous smaller tentacles. The leaves could bend and wrap around victims, holding them while the plant digested them.

The Investigation

Later researchers could find no Carl Liche, no Mkodo tribe, and no such tree in Madagascar. The story appears to have been a complete fabrication, possibly written as satire or to sell newspapers.

Persistent Legend

Despite debunking, the man-eating tree became a persistent legend. Multiple explorers claimed to have seen or heard of similar plants. Cryptozoologists continued to search for evidence well into the 20th century.

Assessment

The man-eating tree represents a Victorian-era hoax that took on a life of its own. It demonstrates how sensational stories, once published, can persist as legends despite being proven false.