New research from the University of Queensland has solved the mystery behind the sting of one of the most venomous plants on the planet. The discovery of a previously unknown neurotoxin explains how Australian stinging trees cause excruciating pain that can last for extraordinarily long periods.

Australia is well-known for its broad assortment of venomous animals. From spiders and snakes, to scorpions and jellyfish, the country is so infamous for dangerous wild-life the notion “everything in Australia wants to kill you” has become an amusing meme.

Well, not only are the animals out to get you, but the plants are dangerous too. Dendrocnide moroides, commonly known as the Gympie-Gympie stinging tree, is one of the world’s most venomous plants. The plant’s toxin is unlikely to kill you, but stories abound describing the horrific pain its sting can cause.

“Like other stinging plants such as nettles, the giant stinging tree is covered in needle-like appendages called trichomes that are around five millimeters in length – the trichomes look like fine hairs, but actually act like hypodermic needles that inject toxins when they make contact with skin,” explains corresponding author on the new study, Irina Vetter.

A new study, from a team of researchers at the University of Queensland, describes the discovery of a previously unknown pain-inducing peptide responsible for the unique neurotoxic effect of the plant. The new class of miniproteins has been named gympietides, derived from gympie, the indigenous name of the plant.

“Although they come from a plant, the gympietides are similar to spider and cone snail toxins in the way they fold into their 3D molecular structures and target the same pain receptors—this arguably makes the Gympie-Gympie tree a truly “venomous” plant,” explains Vetter.

Homing in on the mechanism at play, the researchers discovered these gympietides seem to trigger permanent changes to the sodium channels in sensory neurons. This action is thought to explain why people stung by the plant can experience recurring pain sensations for months, or even years, after the initial sting.

https://newatlas.com/science/australian-stinging-tree-new-family-neurotoxins-uq/

PermeateFree said:

New research from the University of Queensland has solved the mystery behind the sting of one of the most venomous plants on the planet. The discovery of a previously unknown neurotoxin explains how Australian stinging trees cause excruciating pain that can last for extraordinarily long periods.

Australia is well-known for its broad assortment of venomous animals. From spiders and snakes, to scorpions and jellyfish, the country is so infamous for dangerous wild-life the notion “everything in Australia wants to kill you” has become an amusing meme.

Well, not only are the animals out to get you, but the plants are dangerous too. Dendrocnide moroides, commonly known as the Gympie-Gympie stinging tree, is one of the world’s most venomous plants. The plant’s toxin is unlikely to kill you, but stories abound describing the horrific pain its sting can cause.

“Like other stinging plants such as nettles, the giant stinging tree is covered in needle-like appendages called trichomes that are around five millimeters in length – the trichomes look like fine hairs, but actually act like hypodermic needles that inject toxins when they make contact with skin,” explains corresponding author on the new study, Irina Vetter.

A new study, from a team of researchers at the University of Queensland, describes the discovery of a previously unknown pain-inducing peptide responsible for the unique neurotoxic effect of the plant. The new class of miniproteins has been named gympietides, derived from gympie, the indigenous name of the plant.

“Although they come from a plant, the gympietides are similar to spider and cone snail toxins in the way they fold into their 3D molecular structures and target the same pain receptors—this arguably makes the Gympie-Gympie tree a truly “venomous” plant,” explains Vetter.

Homing in on the mechanism at play, the researchers discovered these gympietides seem to trigger permanent changes to the sodium channels in sensory neurons. This action is thought to explain why people stung by the plant can experience recurring pain sensations for months, or even years, after the initial sting.

https://newatlas.com/science/australian-stinging-tree-new-family-neurotoxins-uq/

Read that earlier today.
I think they have gone a bit oth on the pain thingy.
I’ve been stung by it, nothing special and didn’t last for long and the fine hares are hard to get out and can be irritating for quite a while.
There is a plant that grows with it that is and antidote, apparently.

Peak Warming Man said:

PermeateFree said:

New research from the University of Queensland has solved the mystery behind the sting of one of the most venomous plants on the planet. The discovery of a previously unknown neurotoxin explains how Australian stinging trees cause excruciating pain that can last for extraordinarily long periods.

Australia is well-known for its broad assortment of venomous animals. From spiders and snakes, to scorpions and jellyfish, the country is so infamous for dangerous wild-life the notion “everything in Australia wants to kill you” has become an amusing meme.

Well, not only are the animals out to get you, but the plants are dangerous too. Dendrocnide moroides, commonly known as the Gympie-Gympie stinging tree, is one of the world’s most venomous plants. The plant’s toxin is unlikely to kill you, but stories abound describing the horrific pain its sting can cause.

“Like other stinging plants such as nettles, the giant stinging tree is covered in needle-like appendages called trichomes that are around five millimeters in length – the trichomes look like fine hairs, but actually act like hypodermic needles that inject toxins when they make contact with skin,” explains corresponding author on the new study, Irina Vetter.

A new study, from a team of researchers at the University of Queensland, describes the discovery of a previously unknown pain-inducing peptide responsible for the unique neurotoxic effect of the plant. The new class of miniproteins has been named gympietides, derived from gympie, the indigenous name of the plant.

“Although they come from a plant, the gympietides are similar to spider and cone snail toxins in the way they fold into their 3D molecular structures and target the same pain receptors—this arguably makes the Gympie-Gympie tree a truly “venomous” plant,” explains Vetter.

Homing in on the mechanism at play, the researchers discovered these gympietides seem to trigger permanent changes to the sodium channels in sensory neurons. This action is thought to explain why people stung by the plant can experience recurring pain sensations for months, or even years, after the initial sting.

https://newatlas.com/science/australian-stinging-tree-new-family-neurotoxins-uq/

Read that earlier today.
I think they have gone a bit oth on the pain thingy.
I’ve been stung by it, nothing special and didn’t last for long and the fine hares are hard to get out and can be irritating for quite a while.
There is a plant that grows with it that is and antidote, apparently.

People often react differently to toxins. It might also be influenced by the cyclical state of the plant. Bee stings for some are little more than an irritation, yet to others they can kill.

Yes that was an interesting article.

PermeateFree said:

New research from the University of Queensland has solved the mystery behind the sting of one of the most venomous plants on the planet. The discovery of a previously unknown neurotoxin explains how Australian stinging trees cause excruciating pain that can last for extraordinarily long periods.

Australia is well-known for its broad assortment of venomous animals. From spiders and snakes, to scorpions and jellyfish, the country is so infamous for dangerous wild-life the notion “everything in Australia wants to kill you” has become an amusing meme.

Well, not only are the animals out to get you, but the plants are dangerous too. Dendrocnide moroides, commonly known as the Gympie-Gympie stinging tree, is one of the world’s most venomous plants. The plant’s toxin is unlikely to kill you, but stories abound describing the horrific pain its sting can cause.

“Like other stinging plants such as nettles, the giant stinging tree is covered in needle-like appendages called trichomes that are around five millimeters in length – the trichomes look like fine hairs, but actually act like hypodermic needles that inject toxins when they make contact with skin,” explains corresponding author on the new study, Irina Vetter.

A new study, from a team of researchers at the University of Queensland, describes the discovery of a previously unknown pain-inducing peptide responsible for the unique neurotoxic effect of the plant. The new class of miniproteins has been named gympietides, derived from gympie, the indigenous name of the plant.

“Although they come from a plant, the gympietides are similar to spider and cone snail toxins in the way they fold into their 3D molecular structures and target the same pain receptors—this arguably makes the Gympie-Gympie tree a truly “venomous” plant,” explains Vetter.

Homing in on the mechanism at play, the researchers discovered these gympietides seem to trigger permanent changes to the sodium channels in sensory neurons. This action is thought to explain why people stung by the plant can experience recurring pain sensations for months, or even years, after the initial sting.

https://newatlas.com/science/australian-stinging-tree-new-family-neurotoxins-uq/

I’ve always been amused at how it’s difficult to find intact leaf on a Gympie-Gympie stinging tree. A caterpillar (or something similar) skeletonises the leaves. The sting doesn’t save it. Would you happen to know why? Is it just because the leaves are nicely edible, or because the caterpillar wants to ingest enough poison to make itself toxic to birds?

If the second, then that would mean that the venom in these trees has a negative survival value, explaining why most trees are not venomous.

mollwollfumble said:

PermeateFree said:

New research from the University of Queensland has solved the mystery behind the sting of one of the most venomous plants on the planet. The discovery of a previously unknown neurotoxin explains how Australian stinging trees cause excruciating pain that can last for extraordinarily long periods.

Australia is well-known for its broad assortment of venomous animals. From spiders and snakes, to scorpions and jellyfish, the country is so infamous for dangerous wild-life the notion “everything in Australia wants to kill you” has become an amusing meme.

Well, not only are the animals out to get you, but the plants are dangerous too. Dendrocnide moroides, commonly known as the Gympie-Gympie stinging tree, is one of the world’s most venomous plants. The plant’s toxin is unlikely to kill you, but stories abound describing the horrific pain its sting can cause.

“Like other stinging plants such as nettles, the giant stinging tree is covered in needle-like appendages called trichomes that are around five millimeters in length – the trichomes look like fine hairs, but actually act like hypodermic needles that inject toxins when they make contact with skin,” explains corresponding author on the new study, Irina Vetter.

A new study, from a team of researchers at the University of Queensland, describes the discovery of a previously unknown pain-inducing peptide responsible for the unique neurotoxic effect of the plant. The new class of miniproteins has been named gympietides, derived from gympie, the indigenous name of the plant.

“Although they come from a plant, the gympietides are similar to spider and cone snail toxins in the way they fold into their 3D molecular structures and target the same pain receptors—this arguably makes the Gympie-Gympie tree a truly “venomous” plant,” explains Vetter.

Homing in on the mechanism at play, the researchers discovered these gympietides seem to trigger permanent changes to the sodium channels in sensory neurons. This action is thought to explain why people stung by the plant can experience recurring pain sensations for months, or even years, after the initial sting.

https://newatlas.com/science/australian-stinging-tree-new-family-neurotoxins-uq/

I’ve always been amused at how it’s difficult to find intact leaf on a Gympie-Gympie stinging tree. A caterpillar (or something similar) skeletonises the leaves. The sting doesn’t save it. Would you happen to know why? Is it just because the leaves are nicely edible, or because the caterpillar wants to ingest enough poison to make itself toxic to birds?

If the second, then that would mean that the venom in these trees has a negative survival value, explaining why most trees are not venomous.

The European Stinging Nettle has “many common garden butterflies, such as the red admiral, comma and small tortoiseshell, lay eggs on stinging nettles. The colourful nymphalid butterflies will lay their eggs on the nettle leaves, which will provide food for the caterpillars.”

I remember that if you wanted to keep a caterpillar but did not know its food plant, you would first try them on stinging nettles which would often suffice.

“Gibbons explains that while no grazing animal will eat a live nettle, when they are mowed and dried, all kinds of livestock will eat them avidly and thrive on them. Horses get shinier coats and improve in health when fed dried nettles. Cows give more and richer milk when fed on nettle hay.”

The stinging tree would have a survival advantage in as much animals other than caterpillars would be most unlikely to eat the plant, therefore not interfering with its growth and reproduction. The caterpillars are obviously selective in what they eat and would not endanger it, plus the plant would protect them from predators by either them eating the plant toxins or just living on something that other animals avoid. Sounds like an interrelational mini ecosystem.

“Gibbons explains that while no grazing animal will eat a live nettle, when they are mowed and dried, all kinds of livestock will eat them avidly and thrive on them. Horses get shinier coats and improve in health when fed dried nettles. Cows give more and richer milk when fed on nettle hay.”

That by itself will make an interesting biology study.