Something to be wary of

Submitted: Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:00
ThreadID: 56045 Views:2489 Replies:8 FollowUps:8
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An ex girl friend had an unfortunate encounter with the Gympie Gympie plant many years ago (I wasn't there at the time). I'd totally forgotten about the incident until reading an article the other day.

She described the pain as excruciating, and suffered for quite a while after the sting.

Therefore, if your heading up the north east coast this season and plan to do a bit of bush walking in the rain forests, be careful you don't come into contact with this plant.

Somebody may be able to place a photograph of the plant on this site.


Regards

Kim
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Reply By: Member - Footloose - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:42

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:42
Never heard of it. You don't mean the "wait a while" plants, so called because that's what you have to do if you tangle with them.
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Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:59

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:59
Gidday Footy

No, the wait a while is a vine. The Gympie is a broad leaf plant according to the article. Their larger, and a lot more toxic than the smaller variety of stingers down here in Victoria.

Regards

Kim
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Reply By: Notso - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:53

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:53
Sounds like the stinging tree

http://www.abc.net.au/science/k2/moments/s243639.htm
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Follow Up By: Notso - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:56

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:56
http://www.anhs.com.au/stinging%20tree.htm
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Reply By: obee - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:59

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 18:59
I have a recollection of how bad the Gympie can sting. The plant has lovely soft and large leaves if I recall correctly. It is the sort of leaf that you might wipe your bum on.

I didnt wipe my bum on it but I was introduced to it and tried it on my arm to test the effect. Yeah it stings alright.

Owen
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Reply By: Steve from Top End Explorer Tours - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:03

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:03
gympie gympie bush

CheersSteve
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Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:30

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:30
Thanks Steve

I seem to recall it had a local slang.

Regards

Kim
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Follow Up By: Stu & "Bob" - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:53

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:53
Sounds like some hair removal wax strips in the first aid kit might be a good idea, if one was travelling through areas where this plant was present.
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Reply By: Member -Signman - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:21

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:21
Full information in the current (#90) Australian Geographic.......

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Reply By: Member - Doug T (FNQ) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:21

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:21
Kim
That's the broad leaf one , if you run out of toilet it's handy for that.......lol
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Follow Up By: Member -Signman - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:26

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:26
OT Doug
Opes Prime- one of Ricks sponsors- went down the gurgler today !!
Hope it doesn't upset his campaign too much..

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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (FNQ) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:29

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:29
Signman
Thank's ...didn'y hear that, I'll check his website, but I;m sure all will be fine .
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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (FNQ) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:42

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:42
Signman
He still has plenty of others

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Follow Up By: Member - Kim M (VIC) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:54

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:54
Gidday Doug

Not during my life time!

LOL

Regards

Kim
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Reply By: Member - Andrew (QLD) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:46

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 19:46
Yeh, it's the Stinging Tree, or Moonlighter (in Mackay mainly), or Gympie Gympie. It's always fun to see people describing the same thing with different names :-)

Welcome to Qld


Andrew
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Reply By: Member - Roger B (VIC) - Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:49

Saturday, Mar 29, 2008 at 21:49
While in the Army in the '60s we were introduced to this lovely looking leaf. During a stint at the Canungra JTC we were wandering through the Wiangaree State Forest for a few days, where these plants grew. Our instructors must have been kindly souls, as they warned us of the effects of using this leaf as a toilet accessory. Apparently the 'end' result was not funny !! The 'wait a while' was also known as the 'Hook me nuts' vine !! Cheers All.

Roger.
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