Giant Stinging Tree

About

A large rainforest tree, sometimes over 40m tall, covered in stinging hairs that deliver a neurotoxic sting - minor contact can hurt for hours, severe stings for months. It is very common in the rainforest at Dorrigo National Park.

How to spot it

Look for a buttressed trunk and large, alternate, heart-shaped, coarsely toothed leaves exceeding 30cm long in shaded rainforest, especially in storm-disturbed gaps; never touch any part of the plant.

Found in

• Dorrigo NP