All I can say right now is that it's a form of magic that, if it grows beyond my control, only gives me about a minute's notice before it explodes out of my body in all directions.

[ That said... what would it do to the treated wood used in building ships? The wood is kind of already dead, having been cut down and exposed to salt water for as long as it has. Seems really risky, though. The wood could still rot if it has prolonged exposure. ]