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"Good morning Mr. Litre": The tree that causes a complex allergy and the tradition behind it

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“Good morning Mr. Litre”—with that phrase, people passing by this tree avoid catching a dangerous allergy, at least according to tradition.

Lithrea caustica, from the Anacardiaceae family, or more commonly known as Litre, is a plant distributed across various regions of the country.

According to the "Catalog of Vascular Plants of Chile" by the University of Concepción, this species is found in the regions of Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitana, O’Higgins, Maule, Ñuble, Biobío, Araucanía, and Los Ríos.

Native species of Chile

According to Juan Pedro Elissetche, a Doctor in Biological Sciences from the University of Concepción, the litre is “not an invasive plant; it is a native species typical of Chile’s sclerophyllous forest” and very common, he told BioBioChile in an interview.

“It is a xerophytic species that grows especially on hillsides and open areas. It is also part of the transitional coastal forest,” states the website Ciudades Verdes.

“As a tree of the sclerophyllous forest, it has characteristics that allow it to grow in places with rainy winters and dry summers, in semi-arid conditions. It withstands prolonged droughts and extreme temperature differences between day and night in the central valley and mountains, as well as moderate temperature variations along the coast,” it adds.

It also bears edible fruits, which are used to prepare the traditional chicha through fermentation. Additionally, its leaves are used for medicinal purposes.

However, this tree, which at first glance seems like any other, causes a complex allergy in those ‘unlucky’ enough to come into contact with it, as its leaves also trigger a severe allergic reaction on the skin.

Litre allergy

Like many other plants, the litre contains substances that can cause skin reactions once sensitized.

“On first contact, the reaction may be mild and take up to three weeks to appear. However, on second contact, when the skin is already sensitized, the reaction can occur within 24 to 48 hours,” Héctor Fuenzalida, a dermatologist at IntegraMédica, explained to BioBioChile.

The effects are complex, as they “can cause phytophotodermatitis, a type of skin reaction that occurs when certain compounds in the plant interact with the skin, causing inflammation and irritation, which is activated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation,” Fuenzalida noted.

“As a result, red lines appear on the skin, which can progress to large, visible blisters accompanied by a burning sensation and itching,” the expert detailed.

The situation can even become more severe if there is a “generalization of symptoms, which could lead to cardiovascular collapse and, in serious cases, trigger anaphylactic shock,” he added.

However, this type of allergy, like others with similar characteristics, has a solution.

Among the treatments, the expert recommends staying away from the sun and taking medications such as anti-allergics or antihistamines (prescribed by a healthcare professional).

In some cases, “using corticosteroids, either orally or as creams, for a treatment period of 7 to 10 days. Afterwards, applying sunscreen is essential, as pigmented areas may remain,” the expert stated.

“Good morning Mr. Litre”

Thus, the tree is known for causing an allergic reaction in some people, and there is a particular tradition surrounding it.

It involves the custom of greeting the litre with a typical “Good morning Mr. Litre” or “Good afternoon Mr. Litre” (as appropriate), to avoid being affected by the complex allergy caused by its proximity.

But why should it be greeted? What is the reason? According to Medium, a farmer from Machalí, in Chile’s sixth region, explained that its origin dates back many years.

In his words, the litre allergy arose as a punishment. Before the arrival of the Spanish in Chile, “Indians fought against Indians,” leaving dozens dead. As punishment, a ‘God’ turned them into different plants—some into weeds, others into quisco (a plant), and the warriors, who were the strongest, into litre trees.

“Because they are so fierce, that’s why they attack and blister the skin of those who don’t know… An old and very wise man told me,” the farmer claimed.

Source:BioBioChile