Gympie Gympie

Gympie gympie produces small, white or purple-red flowers. Male and female flowers grow on the same plant (monoecious species).

Gympie gympie has bright pink or purple, juicy fruit located under terminal leaves. Fruit is edible, but only after careful removal of the hairs.

Each fruit contains one seed that is located on the surface of the fruit. Birds are responsible for active dispersal of seed.

Gympie gympie easily breaks off its stings when touched. Broken sting penetrates the skin and acts like hypodermic needle which injects strong neurotoxin into the body.

Initial pain is not very strong. Unfortunately, symptoms aggravate quickly and result in pain that is often described as one of the worst that human being can experience in life. Skin becomes red and swollen, eyes and nose become watery, person experiences breathing difficulties and excruciating pain that can last for months.

Substance called moroidin, extracted from Gympie gympie, is responsible for the long-lasting effects of the venom. Gympie gympie can sting and induce intoxication even when the plant is dead.

Neurotoxin produced by Gympie gympie can kill dogs, horses and humans but not pigs.

There are stories which describe horses that were acting madly as a result of intoxication with Gympie gympie. Animals were dying in agony or even end their lives by jumping off the cliffs under the influence of incredible pain.

Some Australian mammals (green possum), birds and insects (weevil, chrisomelid beetle and certain types of butterflies) can eat Gympie gympie without visible side effects.

Antidote for Gympie gympie venom doesn't exist.