Giant Stinging Tree

Description:

The Giant Stinging Tree is a rainforest tree of eastern Australia. It is a medium to large-sized tree with a buttressed base, sometimes over 40 metres tall and in excess of 6 metres wide at the butt. The hairs of the tree exist on all aerial parts, and can cause a severe reaction when in contact with human skin, and it's also a hazard to wildlife and livestock. Apparently, the pain can last for weeks. Nasty!!! Indigenous Australians used the tree's fibrous inner bark to make hunting and fishing nets. The Satin Bower Bird is one of the few creatures that can feed on the tree's mulberry-like fruit, and they seem unconcerned by the stinging hairs. Dendrocnide stings have been known to kill dogs and horses that have brushed against them.

Habitat:

This spotting was at Ravensbourne National Park, at an elevation above 500 mtrs. Dense foliage and canopy, mostly native trees that I could see. Lots of leaf litter and quite damp due to recent rains or thick mist. Soft, filtered light. https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/raven...

Notes:

First aid for the sting is to apply wax hair-removal strips and then yank them off to remove the hairs. This species sounds like the epitome of evil! An interesting article on how stinging trees actually work.... https://theconversation.com/the-worst-ki...