Dendrocnide excelsa
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Dendrocnide excelsa

Giant stinging tree · Devil nettle

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: partial_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
25
Observations
4

Description

Source: leafsnap

Dendrocnide excelsa, commonly known as the giant stinging tree or fibrewood, is a rainforest tree in the family Urticaceae which is endemic to eastern Australia. It occurs from Tathra, New South Wales to Imbil in southeastern Queensland, and is very common at Dorrigo National Park and other rainforest walks in eastern Australia. The habitat of the giant stinging tree is subtropical, warm temperate or littoral rainforest, particularly in disturbed areas, previously flattened by storms or cyclones.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Partial sun

Giant stinging tree occurs naturally in habitats like forest understories and rocky sites, where it grows under natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can tolerate both full sun and full shade, showing its versatile and hardy nature.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

The Giant stinging tree shows good tolerance to heat, able to endure high temperatures and wide temperature fluctuations. In hot weather, it is important to ensure adequate watering and provide suitable shade to prevent sunburn. Conversely, the Giant stinging tree is relatively sensitive to low temperatures. While it can handle some cold, excessively low temperatures can cause frost damage.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Fertilize your Giant stinging tree in early spring to encourage healthy growth. Regular feeding improves overall vigor, producing robust growth, increased tolerance of harsh conditions, and enhanced resistance to pests and diseases. Keep a consistent fertilization schedule for your Giant stinging tree to maintain foliage that is vibrant, deeply colored, and lush.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

The Giant Stinging Tree is a large tree characterized by its stinging hairs and sizable leaves. For optimal growth and appearance, it should be pruned in early spring. During this time, remove any dead branches and thin out crowded areas to improve air circulation. Be sure to wear protective clothing while pruning to avoid contact with the stinging hairs. This practice encourages healthy growth and enhances the tree’s overall appearance.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Tree
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Dendrocnide
Family
Urticaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
24.99 m to 39.93 m
Mature Spread
10.06 m to 14.94 m
Leaf Color
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Size
0.20 cm to 0.25 cm
Bloom Time
Winter
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Spring

Tags (5)

Common Names (2)

en Giant stinging tree
en Devil nettle