Marco Crisciotti Let's discover the disturbing story of the most poisonous plant in the world, capable of causing unbearable pain and pushing people to suicide.
Meet the Gympie-Gympie (also called the “suicide plant”; scientific name Dendrocnide moroides, belonging to the Urticaceae family). Native to the Australian hinterlands, it’s considered the most venomous plant on Earth.
This isn’t just another prickly plant. The Gympie-Gympie is a green “monster” so dangerous that it has driven people to extreme decisions, including suicide. One bizarre case even involves a man who unknowingly used its leaves as toilet paper. The result? Excruciating pain and a tragic ending that still sends chills down the spine.
A pain you’ll never forget
The Gympie-Gympie isn’t a harmless garden shrub. Its tiny, hair-like needles contain a toxin so potent that victims describe the pain as a mix of burning fire and electric shocks. And it’s not just a fleeting discomfort—this agony can last for weeks, even months. Some victims have reportedly chosen death over enduring the relentless torment.
The plant’s deadly reputation dates back to 1866, when one of its earliest documented victims was a horse that died after brushing against it. And this isn’t just an overblown Aussie legend; soldiers in World War II encountered the plant and suffered its wrath. One soldier, after weeks of unrelenting pain, reportedly lost his sanity.
The most bizarre (and terrifying) incident
One of the most shocking cases involves a man who mistakenly used Gympie-Gympie leaves as toilet paper. That simple, unfortunate act resulted in unbearable pain. Unable to cope, the man tragically ended his life.
This extreme case highlights the plant’s sinister nature. Known as the “stinging tree,” the Gympie-Gympie’s needle-like hairs, or trichomes, embed into the skin, releasing toxins for months. Each time the affected area comes into contact with water or experiences temperature changes, the pain resurfaces—an unrelenting nightmare.
Behind safety glass
Despite its deadly reputation, the Gympie-Gympie has become an infamous attraction in botanical gardens. At Alnwick Garden in Northumberland, England, the Poison Garden features over 100 dangerous plant species, with the Gympie-Gympie as one of its highlights. For safety, it’s housed behind thick glass and handled only by trained horticulturists.
Outside of curated gardens, some individuals have taken an unusual interest in growing this deadly plant. British enthusiast Daniel Emlyn-Jones has cultivated a Gympie-Gympie in his garden, safely enclosed in a protective case with a warning sign that reads: “Do Not Touch!” He claims his goal is to spark curiosity about unusual agriculture, though he acknowledges the risks involved.
Other plants to avoid
If the Gympie-Gympie isn’t terrifying enough, there are plenty of other plants to watch out for. One such menace is the white baneberry (Actaea pachypoda), commonly known as “doll’s eyes.” Native to North America, its ghostly white berries with black centers resemble eerie eyeballs.
While they may look grotesquely intriguing, these berries are deadly—a small amount can be fatal to humans.
The lesson of the Gympie-Gympie
What makes the Gympie-Gympie so chilling is its unassuming appearance. At first glance, it looks like any ordinary green bush. But a single touch can turn a nature walk into a harrowing ordeal.
If you ever find yourself in Australia, remember: don’t touch anything unfamiliar. Most importantly, never trust a leaf you don’t recognize. The Gympie-Gympie reminds us that even the greenest, most innocent-looking parts of nature can conceal its darkest secrets.
Source: Mirror
