Some poisons do not come with the mercy of death. The Australian Stinging Tree, Dendrocnide moroides is a plant with a terrifying ability. It is covered in millions of tiny silicone hairs (needles). This relative of nettle contains a virulent neurotoxin that causes intense pain. Neither the hairs nor the toxin break down easily and pain can be felt or reactivated for up to a year after contact. It has been given the name suicide tree because one of its victims was so desperate to stop the pain they took their own life. It makes you wonder what purpose such a dangerous plant serves in the web of life. Surely such severe defense mechanisms are hiding some kind of discovery. It is safe to say I will never work with this plant 🙃 Reference: Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart #poisonousplants #poisonplants #toxicology #dangerousplants #wickedplants #suicidetree #gimpigimpi https://www.instagram.com/p/CKY12AxHJ6S/?igshid=x1f8l2b8ids4
