Jun 18, 2025
Top 10 Most Painful Plants On The Earth
Gympie‑Gympie (Dendrocnide moroides) Australia’s infamous “suicide plant” causes pain described as “being burned by acid and electrocuted at the same time,” lasting for months
Manchineel (Hippomane mancinella) Known as the “little apple of death”—just brushing its sap can blister skin, with smoke so toxic it may cause blindness
Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum) Its sap causes severe burns and blisters on skin exposed to sunlight and even eye damage
Urtica ferox (New Zealand Tree Nettle) Large nettle with woody spines—stings cause intense pain lasting days
Pain Bush (Smodingium argutum) This South African shrub causes burning rashes that may persist for weeks or months
Blister Bush (Peucedanum galbanum) Contains furanocoumarins; contact followed by sun exposure leads to painful blisters
Texas Bull Nettle (Cnidoscolus texanus) Stinging hairs inject toxins that cause burning and itching for hours
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica & relatives) Common worldwide; stings result in burning, itching, swelling—usually brief but uncomfortable
Aconite (Monkshood) Also called “queen of poisons”; skin contact can cause serious numbness and cardiac symptoms
Water Hemlock (Cicuta maculata) Ingesting it causes violent convulsions and cramps—it is one of North America’s most toxic plants
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