A plant believed to be the world’s most poisonous with a sting so strong it can spark suicidal thoughts has arrived in the UK.
The Gympie-Gympie has tiny hair-like needles full of toxins which can grow up to 10 metres tall. If touched, they leave sufferers feeling as though they have been electrocuted and are on fire at the same time.
In some reported cases, this can continue for weeks or even months and has led to patients committing suicide as they can’t cope with it.
The Gympie-Gympie - aka Dendrocnide moroides - is native to Australia but one has just gone on display at Alnwick Garden, Northumberland.
It is so dangerous it is kept in a glass cage and has its own keeper. The gardens have over 100 toxic and narcotic plants on display.
The Gympie-Gympie will be displayed next to cannabis and deadly ricin plants.
John Knox, lead tour guide at the Poison Garden, said: “The plant usually flowers and produces its fruits when it is less than three metres tall, and it could reach up to 10m in height. The stem, branches, petioles, leaves, and fruits are all covered in the stinging hairs and not to be touched.”
He added: “The tiny brittle hairs, known as trichomes, are loaded with toxins over the entire plant and if touched, stay in the skin for up to a year. And release the toxin cocktail into the body during triggering events such as touching the affected area, contact with water, or temperature changes.”
Last year a man grew one of the plants at home and put it in a cage with a sign which says 'danger'.
Daniel Emlyn-Jones, 49, grew the gympie-gympie plant at home as he wanted to promote an interest in plants by cultivating unique flora.
He said: "I don't want to come over as a loon. I'm doing it very safely. Some botanic gardens have these plants as interesting specimens."
The plant - dendrocnide moroides - was discovered in its native Australia when a road surveyor's horse was stung, went mad and 'died within two hours' in 1866.
Another horror story told by Australian World War Two soldier Cyril Bromley recalled how he fell into the nettles while training - sending him into madness after weeks of agony and ineffective treatments.
Another reportedly shot himself dead after using the nettle as toilet paper by accident.
In 2021 Daniel was delighted when he managed to grow bananas in his garden after many years of trying.
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