'Urine, waxing, dilute acid, mud packs and dry ice' - I've heard them all as Stinging Tree era re-emerges in Douglas Shire

JUNGLE DRUM

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The Stinging Plant has caused headaches in the Douglas Shire for years. Picture: Creative Commons

A while ago I warned that after the Cyclone there would be many more Stinging plants appearing in the Douglas Shire.

While Jasper’s wind was not very strong, it was enough to open up the forest and the scouring from flooding and landslides did the same. Stinging plant is a pioneer and loves those locations.

Watch them pop up on the cleaned roadside drains and descaled road batters too. Already one of Cape Tribulation’s youngest residents has fallen foul of one; something I told his father is a ‘rite of passage’ here.

Technically they are called Dendrocnide moroides which very simply means ‘tree with a stinging needle that looks a bit like Mulberry’.

Locally we call them ‘Stinging plant’, but throughout Queensland ‘Gympie Gympie’, the Gubbi Gubbi word for them is more common.

I am told ‘Gympie’ also means pain and used twice, lots of pain. If that’s true, it is pretty accurate! The family is Urticaceae from the Latin Urere ‘to burn’.  Urtica occurs worldwide but the genus Dencrocnide is the worst I believe.

I remember the family name easily when guiding because ‘it Urts (sic) a lot’.

These are small shrubs usually - I have seen six metre versions - that occur mainly in damaged forest with large heart shaped leaves, where the stem joins in from the back of the leaf.

The edges are serrated, and the leaves have a slightly hairy appearance. The plant has small purple fruit that are edible.

And the pain! I have been stung on the arms, legs, and even the face.

The initial pain is like a stinging slap, and does not stop. It burns, aches, and feels like if you touch it, it will get better but that makes it worse.

Water makes it hurt more. Moving makes it hurt. Larger stings can make one truly miserable. The first 24 hours are worst, the first week uncomfortable, and reminders can last for a month, in cold water or wind.

Stories of horrendous stings abound, and while I am not challenging anyone’s version of events, many are difficult to prove.

‘My mate’s friend used it for toilet paper’ etc. However years ago as a guide I was able to find reference to an Australia soldier on jungle training who did use it for that purpose and ended up in hospital! With calloused hands, it is entirely possible to pick and hold leaves with no sting. And the leaves are nicely sized for wiping...

My call on treatment is this. Nothing works except strong painkillers.

I have heard so many ‘guaranteed’ treatments. Urine. Waxing. Dilute acid. Mud packs. Dry Ice. Do what you want, but in the first 24 hours some prescription drugs will work wonders.

After that nurofen or panadol. People get fooled into thinking their treatment worked because there is a natural massive improvement after 24 hours anyway. And none of the above will hurt save for acid if you fail to dilute it properly or dry ice burning. The structure of the stinging hairs is more acid and cold resistant than skin, so use caution.

Finally, be diligent in any area that has been damaged and let more sun in. Warn tourists. For the next ten years or so this plant will feature in our lives. More ‘war stories’ will be made.

*Lawrence Mason has lived at Cape Tribulation all his life, and has been involved in farming, timber and tourism. He is a former board member of Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, founding Chair of Daintree Marketing Co-operative, and has been a member of both Alexandra Bay and Mossman State High School P&C. He is also a member of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce and has a keen interest in local issues.

*The views and opinions in this column or those of the columnist and columnist only and do not reflect those of the Newsport editor, or staff.

 

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