Gympie Gympie (clip)

If you get stung by the world’s most painful plant - the infamous Queensland Gympie Gympie - then you should probably NOT try this remedy. Instead, experts recommend using waxing strips to remove the hypodermic needle-like hairs from your skin. The Gympie Gympie is sometimes referred to as the “stinging tree“, “nettle tree“ or “suicide tree“, possibly from an old story of a military officer who attempted to use a leaf as toilet paper, and promptly shot himself rather than face the pain. The intense pain can last for months and years, and dried Gympie Gympie leafs can continue to sting after a century in collections. Respirators are required when clearing this plant, as the small silica hairs can become airborn. Btw - the video looks as if we were very close to the plants with our hands, but trust me we weren’t. Safe distance was maintained at all times. We were lucky to come across some amazing specimens of this plant on the eastern side of the Bunyas, rig