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Gympie-Gympie
Dendrocnide moroides
ギンピ・ギンピ
A shrub in the nettle family native to tropical rainforests from eastern Australia to the Malay Archipelago. Fine silica-tipped stinging hairs on leaves and stems inject the neurotoxic peptide moroidin, causing excruciating pain that can last for months or years — earning the title 'world's most painful plant'. Fatal cases in horses and dogs are recorded. Also known as 'stinging tree'.
Identification Points
- ✓Large heart-shaped leaves densely covered with stinging hairs on both sides
- ✓Stinging hairs also on stems and petioles
- ✓Small pink to red berries in clusters
Habitat
Tropical rainforests (eastern Australia to Malay Archipelago)
Season
Year-round (evergreen)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Cordate
Growth form
Tree
Evergreen/Deciduous
Evergreen
Habitat
Forest
Phylogenetic Positionイラクサ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core eudicots > Rosids > Rosales > Urticaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (approx. 50 million years ago)
Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification