Gympie-Gympie: Australia's most dangerous plant – symptoms, treatment, and how to recognise its deadly sting

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The Gympie-Gympie is the kind of plant that may cause even the most feared adventurer to shiver. Nicknamed by some as the world's most poisonous plant, this seemingly innocuous tree from Australia bears a sting that is at the same time agonizingly painful and literally feels burning, itching, and giving electric shocks all at the same time-for hours, days, or even months. It's fine, hair-like needles that inject a toxin like burning, itching, and electric shocks all at the same time. The Gympie-Gympie is so vicious that its sting once drove a man to shoot himself in desperation. Beautiful as this plant may be, it remains the true wild villain; therefore, it has got one of the worst reputations among all the creations of nature-the most painful and horrible creation. If you’re venturing into the wild, be sure to steer clear of this stinging monster!



What is Gympie-Gympie ?


Dendrocnide moroides, also known as the Gympie-Gympie or Gympie Stinger, is a rainforest plant native to northeastern Australia and also found in Indonesia. The entire plant is covered in fine stinging hairs that deliver a potent neurotoxin upon contact. When touched, the small bulb at the tip of these hairs breaks off, penetrating the skin and injecting the toxin. It is also considered the most toxic among all the stinging trees of Australia. Interestingly, though its fruit is edible but it has to be cautiously prepared by removing all stinging hairs before consumption.



Where is Gympie-Gympie found ?


Dendrocnide moroides, or Gympie-Gympie, is a rainforest native of northeastern Australia. It thrives luxuriantly along rainforest edges, walking trails, and creek beds in Queensland. Less common in New South Wales, it can also be found in parts of Indonesia and other regions of similar Southeast Asia where conditions are warm and humid. The Gympie-Gympie thrives in shaded, moist places and can easily be seen growing along other rainforest flora. In these regions, its tendency to blend in with dense greenery often makes it a hidden hazard for hikers and animals alike.



Why is Gympie-Gympie called the suicide plant ?


Known to most for its excruciating sting, this is often called the "suicide plant" because the pain it causes is unbearable. The sting can persist for days, creating a burning sensation akin to being burned by hot acid while simultaneously receiving electric shocks. People liken the feeling to a chill running down the spine.

The entire plant is covered with fine, hollow silica hairs that look like hypodermic needles. When touched, these inject a powerful neurotoxin and cause severe pain. The tiny hairs break off on contact, but if not removed, they keep releasing the toxin into the skin, thus prolonging the agony. Even when dried, leaves retain such toxic hairs and are equally hazardous.

These microscopic hairs can be inhaled, causing respiratory problems because the stingers stay in the air around the plant. One encounter with the plant may cause a lot of discomfort for weeks or even months, and in some cases, it can even lead to death. This plant, with its innocent appearance and frizzy leaves, is a plant to avoid at all costs—it's a hidden menace in nature.



What are the symptoms of Gympie-Gympie poisoning ?


The degree of Gympie-Gympie poisoning varies from one person to another according to the extent of their exposure. The higher your contact level, the more neurotoxin dose that you will receive, resulting in a greater reaction.
Immediate, severe, stinging pain in the site of contact First- Degree reaction: red, erythematous bumps appearing minutes later; swelling can also be felt at tissue level Lymph fluid flooded tissue area, aching feeling in the contacted area is quite common. Sometimes it includes sweating in affected area.

The pain can spread to other parts of the body, including the armpits and groin, as these are areas with major lymph nodes. Some people even report stinging sensations in areas unrelated to where the plant was touched; for example, the feet, even though the plant is touched higher up on the body.

The airborne stinging hairs from the plant irritate the respiratory system and lead to excessive sneezing and mucus production. Milder symptoms can disappear in a few days, but the more serious cases may leave the affected parts sensitive and painful for weeks or even months.




Treatment for Gympie-Gympie poisoning



When to seek emergency care:

Call for emergency medical help if the plant causes an allergic reaction.
Anaphylaxis symptoms to look for:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Swollen tongue or throat
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Vomiting


How to remove stingers:


  • Try to pull out the stingers using plaster, warm wax, or adhesive tape from your skin.
  • Be aware that even after the removal of the stingers, the neurotoxin is still present in the body.
  • Do not rub or scratch the affected area as this would aggravate symptoms.


  • Pain relief and symptom management


    • Take over-the-counter medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs, to reduce the level of pain and swelling
    • Apply soothing creams to help calm the affected area. Your doctor can recommend a suitable one.


    Recovery time


    • Most symptoms will resolve on their own; however, recovery time can be different.
    • Mild cases clear in a few days, whereas in some cases, it may last weeks or even months.



    How to identify Gympie-Gympie ?


    The Gympie-Gympie is of the Dendrocnide genus and can be observed only in the rain forests, especially in Australia as well as parts of Asia where it grows in ample disturbed sunlight. It more looks like D. excelsa but differs in size and on a leaf stalk attachment where, D. moroides is smaller growing up to 4 meters (13ft); the leaf stalks are set away from the edges of the leaves. On the contrary D. excelsa reaches up to 35 meters (115 ft.) with leaf stalks beside or near the margins.

    They both have heart-shaped leaves that have torn edges; such leaves are typically attacked by insects. The plant produces small white or purplish flowers throughout the year but peak during summer. The flowers of the plant grow into purple fleshy structures, bearing hard seeds. The entire plant covered with small, silica-based stingers. This plant appears soft and fuzzy. There are more stingers in the juvenile leaves than there are in the adult.




    Dangerous encounters with Gympie-Gympie plant
    Some of the most horrific and fatal experiences with the Gympie-Gympie plant are:

    World War II soldier's madness:

    During World War II, an Australian soldier is said to have gone mad after he came in contact with the Gympie-Gympie plant. He could not stand the agony.

    The Toilet Paper Tragedy:

    One man did not know that he had used the leaves of this plant as toilet paper, and the pain was that agonizing that he couldn't bear it; so he killed himself, not tolerating the suffering.

    These examples depict how the Gympie-Gympie plant can be fatal for both humans and animals, and it is a pure menace in the wild.



    Safe plants that resemble Gympie Gympie


    If you are in an area where Gympie Gympie grows and encounter a plant that even slightly resembles it, the best course of action is to avoid it. Australia has many stinging plants, and Gympie Gympie is part of a particularly dangerous family. Many plants that resemble it can be just as deadly to touch.

    But in Australia, there are also some safe shrub-like plants that have heart-shaped leaves and small flowers. Bossiaea distichoclada is one such example. It grows about three feet tall with bright yellow flowers instead of white ones that appear on the Gympie Gympie.

    While most Australians know Gympie Gympie, most tourists may not. So, before venturing out to discover a new place, it is always wise to familiarize yourself with the local flora and fauna to ensure your safety.