India Times reported that one of the world’s most dangerous plants, the Gympie-Gympie, known for its excruciating sting, has made its way to the UK. The plant possesses venomous hairs that can induce intense pain, leading individuals to experience thoughts of self-harm. Its sting is described as a combination of being electrocuted and burned simultaneously. Typically kept in specialized gardens, a daring local in the UK decided to cultivate the plant at home.
However, experts strongly advise against such actions, urging people to keep their distance from this dangerous species. After being retrieved from the homeowner, the hazardous Gympie-Gympie plant has been relocated to a secure facility known as Alnwick Garden’s Poison Garden. Naturally found in the rainforests of Australia and Indonesia, the Gympie-Gympie belongs to the nettle family, Urticaceae. The plant is armed with tiny, hair-like needles that deliver an excruciating burning sensation upon contact with the skin.
The pain intensifies over 20 to 30 minutes and can persist for weeks or months. Even the briefest accidental touch can trigger this agonizing reaction. John Knox, a tour leader at the Poison Garden, describes the sensation as being simultaneously electrocuted and set on fire. Disturbingly, the plant is also known to induce suicidal thoughts in some individuals, with at least one reported case of a person taking their own life due to the extreme pain caused by the Gympie-Gympie plant.
In 2020, a tiny house plant with only four leaves, known as variegated rhaphidophora tetrasperma or philodendron minima, fetched an astonishing price of £4,000. The plant’s unique variegation, with leaves exhibiting a half-green and half-yellow pattern, sparked a bidding war on New Zealand’s trading site, Trade Me. The final winning bid amounted to NZ $8,150 (Rs 4.02 lakh), surpassing the previous highest price of NZ $1,650 for a plant on the website.
The highly sought-after plant garnered significant attention, with the listing receiving over 8,000 views. Described as “extremely rare,” the plant boasted four leaves, each adorned with stunning yellow variegation. Variegation refers to the presence of differently colored zones within the leaves of a plant.
Variegated plants are not only scarce but also tend to grow at a slower pace compared to their non-variegated counterparts. They are a rarity since variegation does not typically benefit the plant. The unique aesthetics and distinctive color patterns make variegated plants highly desirable among collectors and enthusiasts, contributing to their elevated market value.
The appearance of the dangerous Gympie-Gympie plant in the UK is a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with particular plant species. With its excruciating sting and potential to induce self-harming thoughts, the Gympie-Gympie poses a significant threat to human health. Individuals must exercise caution and heed the advice of experts, refraining from cultivating or approaching this dangerous plant.
In contrast, the allure of rare variegated plants continues to captivate plant enthusiasts worldwide, as evidenced by the remarkable prices fetched at auctions. The unique color patterns and limited availability of variegated specimens make them highly coveted among collectors, highlighting the ongoing fascination with exceptional plant varieties.
