• DOI:10.1111/j.1365-4362.1985.tb05760.x
• Corpus ID: 73875767

The Super‐nettles

@article{Schmidt1985TheS,
  title={The Super‐nettles},
  author={Richard J. Schmidt},
  journal={International Journal of Dermatology},
  year={1985},
  volume={24}
}

• R. Schmidt
• Published 1 May 1985
• Environmental Science
• International Journal of Dermatology

A widely distributed, well-defined, but not extensively studied group of higher plants comprises the stinging nettles. Because of their ability to inflict a painful sting on human skin contact, such plants are a dermatologic hazard,' Somewhat more dramatic are the super-nettles^—plants that harbor ants. In their natural habitat, such plants are analogous to the stinging nettles. Contact with the plant can elicit an aggressive response from the ant inhabitants, which, depending on the species, rush out from within the plant to bite and/or sting the intruder. Like the stinging nettles, the super-nettles show a marked variability in their virulence; the skin reaction may vary from a slight irritation to a burning or deeply painful sensation, often accompanied by wheals or even blisters. Any such skin reaction may be classed as a pseudophytodermatitis; it is normally self-limiting. Because very little is known about the chemical nature of most ant venoms, treatment, if necessary, is symptomatic. Many dramatic accounts exist of late 19th century and early 20th century explorers and botanists being bitten and/or stung by super-nettles. There are also a few similar accounts published by contemporary botanists and ecologists studying the plants, yet case reports in the medical literature are conspicuous by their absence. There are several possible reasons, including the fact that the vast majority of the super-