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Deceptive and
dangerous stingers

Tiny silica hairs on attractive heart shaped leaves deliver a painful toxin that feels like a hot acid burn and being electrocuted all at once.

Dendrocnide is a genus of over 30 species of stinging plants in the nettle family and the most painful of them all, Dendrocnide moroides, is found growing in the rainforests of northern NSW and Queensland.

Explore this amazing example of plant defence as a range of scientists share their stinging experience and what they’re doing to protect the future of these surprisingly important rainforest plants.

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Dendrocnide moroides

Dendrocnide moroides, also known as Gympie Gympie, is the worst stinger in the world. 

Dendrocnide photinophylla

Dendrocnide photinophylla, also known as the shiny leaf stinging tree. 

Dendrocnide excelsa

Fruiting dendrocnide excelsa, also known as the giant stinging tree. 

Fruits of dendrocnide moroides

Dendrocnide moroides also produces edible fruits that birds, other animals and Aboriginal people have traditionally eaten.