Sarah Encounters a Poisonous Tree

Hiking to Newtons Waterfall near Akaroa yesterday I brushed my hand against some plants on the edge of the trail and suddenly felt a tremendous sting! Not quite as bad as a wasp sting, but close.  Rubbing my finger hard in a vain attempt to stop the pain, I looked closely at the bush around me and then I saw it – a small tree with long serrated leaves covered in tiny needle-like hairs.  Gradually, the pain receded but a strange tingling sensation continued as my finger slowly went numb.

We were a ways out in the bush and except for a numb finger I didn’t have any other symptoms, so we decided to continue our hike.  It was well worth the trip (and even the sting) because the small waterfall was beautiful and perfectly lit by a shaft of sunlight coming through the surrounding trees.  There was even a rainbow reflected in in the droplets of spray.

            

 

The rainbow is near the bottom of the falls

              

My finger continued to feel numb and tingly throughout last night but otherwise I felt fine.  Because of the odd symptoms, though, I thought I’d look up this painful tree.  Sure enough, I’d encountered a giant stinging nettle tree, Ongaonga, one of the most poisonous plants in New Zealand. And what I learned about this plant was both reassuring and disturbing.  

 

Many people develop itchy rashes from being stung by the nettle tree and there are documented cases of both dogs and horses suffering respiratory distress, convulsions, and death from its toxins.  There also is one documented case of a hunter who slipped on wet grass and landed in an Ongaonga patch, getting stung on the legs, face, and hands.  Though he survived, he suffered significant neurological effects including respiratory distress, muscle weakness, confusion, inability to speak clearly, severe cramps, and hypothermia (despite being dressed in wool and down).  His symptoms improved slightly within 24 hours but he continued to be problematic for at least 48 hours and probably longer.  If you want to read the details, here is the link: https://teara.govt.nz/files/d-9773-enz.pdf

 

Interestingly, an American biomedical scientist, Eric Buenz, who trained at the Mayo Clinic, had his own personal encounter with the giant stinging nettle tree.  As a result of that experience, he has begun to study the plant, hoping to find a way to use its chemicals to manage pain (minus the initial stinging part).  Here’s his story: https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/83197300/painful-native-plant-may-hold-pain-relief-key

 

As for me, I am totally fine.  This morning as I write this post the tingling and numbness has gradually receded and my finger feels almost completely normal.  My luckily small encounter with this plant has ended up being an interesting adventure in a country where I had no idea there were stinging trees!