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Duboisia myoporoides - R.Br.

Common Name Corkwood
Family Solanaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards All parts of the plant are poisonous due to the presence of alkaloids[238 ]. The plant has been used to poison fish[694 ]. An infusion of the leaves is toxic to rats, dogs, cats, and frogs and, in larger quantities, to humans[418 ].
Habitats High-rainfall areas on the margins of rainforests at elevations up to 1,000 metres[365 ]. Also found in rainforest regrowth[365 ]. Sandy soils in open forest, rainforest margins and coastal dunes[238 ].
Range Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, north to New Caledonia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Duboisia myoporoides Corkwood


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Duboisia myoporoides Corkwood
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Duboisia myoporoides is a TREE growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Entrecasteauxia elliptica Montrouz.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

The leaves contain various alkaloids and have been used to make intoxicating drinks[694 ]. This species is rich in alkaloids and the leaves have been harvested commercially for the extraction of scopalamine. Cases of poisoning have been reported in cattle, horses and humans. Everist (1974).

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The leaves are a bitter, hypnotic herb that dilates the pupils, stimulates respiration and acts as a sedative[238 ]. It contains duboisine, a mydriatic alkaloid[46 ]. The leaves contain various alkaloids and have been used to make intoxicating drinks[46 , 694 ]. The plant is a rich source of tropane alkaloids[317 ]. These alkaloids are used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of a wide range of medicines including stimulants, antispasmodics and analgesics. The leaves are used in homeopathy for the treatment of eye complaints[238 ]. The herb is subject to legal restrictions in some countries[238 ]. Duboisia is probably the most important of the Australian native medicinal plants. The leaves are a valuable source of the alkaloid drugs, scopolamine and hyoscyamine. Cribb (1981).

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Agroforestry Uses: A natural pioneer species in its native range, where this fast-growing plant is often found in forest regrowth areas[694 ]. Other Uses The bark is corky, though no record of any usage has been found[K ]. The wood is soft[418 , 694 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Industrial Crop: Medicinal  Industrial Crop: Pesticide  Management: Standard  Regional Crop

A plant of the moist tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 36°c[418 ]. Plants can tolerate some frost[694 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 600 - 2,500mm[418 ]. Prefers a light, well-drained soil and a sunny position[238 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7[418 ]. Plants can flower virtually all year round[694 ]. The plant has a suckering habit, especially after fires, and has the potential of becoming a weed[418 ].

Carbon Farming

  • Industrial Crop: Medicinal  Most pharmaceuticals are synthesized from petroleum but 25% of modern medicines are based on plants.
  • Industrial Crop: Pesticide  Many plants provide natural pesticides.
  • Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
  • Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, it germinates freely if removed from the flesh of the fruit[694 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Soft Corkwood; Mgmeo; Poison Corkwood; Poisonous Corkwood; Corkwood Tree; Eye-opening Tree; Eye-plant; Duboisia; Yellow Basswood; Elm; Corkwood

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Australia ; New Caledonia

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

The plant has a suckering habit, especially after fires, and has the potential of becoming a weed[418 ].

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

R.Br.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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