Gympie-Gympie << GIHM pee GIHM pee >> is the name of a large woody shrub that can deliver an extremely painful sting. It is closely related to the nettles, a group of plants with stinging bristles. Also called the Gympie stinger or the Gympie bush, it is known as one of the most dangerous venomous (stinging) plants in the world. The leaves, stems, and fruits of the Gympie-Gympie are covered with a fine layer of hollow, hairlike, stinging needles that contain a powerful neurotoxin (nerve poison) that causes excruciating pain.
The Gympie-Gympie is found in forested regions of Queensland in northeastern Australia and the Malay Archipelago. It commonly grows more than 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall. It grows readily along roadways, streams, and openings in the rain forest canopy (the top layer of leaves that blocks most light from the forest floor). The plant produces a neurotoxin that is long-lasting. People may feel pain for over a year if the stinging hairs are not removed from the skin. Even the dried leaves preserved for years in museum collections can inflict a painful sting when touched. In Australia, the Gympie-Gympie is a hazard for forest workers, surveyors, and lumber workers. The hairs break off and float in the air, so standing near the plant without a mask can cause coughing and sneezing fits after less than an hour of exposure. However, some indigenous (native) birds, insects, and mammals in Australia are immune to the plant’s toxin and can eat it without harm.
The stinging sensation has been known to drive people mad with pain. Some people are said to even harm themselves to escape the pain. Local folklore in Australia includes tales of horses and dogs that died in agony within hours of stumbling into the venomous bush. Some animals are said to have ended their lives by jumping off cliffs to escape their suffering.
Pain occurs almost immediately upon contact with any part of the Gympie-Gympie. Minor contact can be treated with appropriate first aid. It is important not to rub the affected area, as this can break the stinging needles lodged in the skin, making them more difficult to remove. Visible stingers should be removed with tweezers. Then, tape or wax hair-removal strips can be carefully applied to the affected area to remove smaller hairs. Some victims may be allergic to the sting and go into anaphylactic shock. In such cases, or in those of moderate or severe stings, victims should seek immediate medical attention.
