UQ researcher Irina Vetter said she was intrigued by the plant’s dangerous sting,and wanted to find out why it caused such a strong reaction.
Her team discovered the toxin produced by the tree and delivered by small needle-like growths was a neurotoxin very similar to those found in spiders and cone snails.
“The chemical structure is very different but its properties are very similar to how animal venoms cause pain,” Professor Vetter said.
“That was very surprising because to my knowledge it’s the first time a plant has evolved a similar molecule mechanism to an animal to inflict pain.
“You could probably say this is the first venomous plant.”
An animal is said to be venomous if it can administer venom via a bite or a sting,as distinct from an animal or plant being poisonous because it contains substances that are harmful if ingested.