‘Incredible pain’ caused by deceptively venomous Aussie plant

Aussie campers are being urged to steer clear of a deceptively ordinary-looking plant in the bush that can “stay in your skin for years”.

Aussie campers are being urged to steer clear of a deceptively ordinary-looking plant in the bush, after one man shared his experience of a sting that he says was “worse than a snake bite”.

The Gympie Gympie might appear harmless with its large green leaves, but it holds a reputation as one of the world’s most venomous plants.

The plant is widespread in Australia, predominantly along the east coast from New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region to Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula.

“I can tell you from experience, you do not want to touch it,” said a 4WD camper said via Yahoo News.

“I only just slightly brushed against it. It was one of the most painful things that I’ve had in my life.”

A warning sign for the plant in Cairns, Queensland. Picture: Louis Roughley

The plant is widespread in Australia, predominantly along the east coast from New South Wales’ Northern Rivers region to Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula. Picture: Sophie Blair

He described lingering pain that haunted him for months, with flare-ups any time he scratched his skin.

“I would choose getting bitten by an animal over getting stung by Gympie Gympie bush again,” he said.

The plant’s sting is caused by tiny, toxin-filled hairs that break off into the skin upon contact, delivering what experts describe as “incredible pain”.

Landcare co-ordinator Sophie Blair says the plant can stick in people’s skin for years.

“It’s a type of nettle, in the same family as stinging nettle. It has all these micro-hairs that act as a defence mechanism for the plant. The Gympie Gympie has a high potency sting,” she told news.com.au.

“Stinging nettle will go away, but Gympie Gympie has been known to stick in your skin for years.”

Experts urge anyone stung by the plant to seek medical help immediately. Instagram: @coyotepeterson

Experts urge anyone stung by the plant to seek medical help immediately.

Avoid rubbing the affected area, as this can break the tiny hairs further into the skin, making them nearly impossible to remove.

For those venturing into the plant’s habitat, caution is key.

Originally published as ‘Incredible pain’ caused by deceptively venomous Aussie plant