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Pimelea microcephala - R.Br.

Common Name Mallee Riceflower
Family Thymelaeaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards See readers comments
Habitats Mainly on sandy soils[154].
Range Australia - New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Pimelea microcephala Mallee Riceflower


Kevin Thiele from Perth, Australia
Pimelea microcephala Mallee Riceflower
Kevin Thiele from Perth, Australia

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Pimelea microcephala is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit[173]. There are concerns about the toxicity of the fruit - please see readers comments below.

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Fibre

A tough fibre obtained from the stems is used as a tying material and for cordage[154, 156].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Prefers a lime-free peaty well-drained loam[1, 200] in a sunny position[188]. Rather slow growing[200]. Flowers are produced on the tips of the previous seasons growth. Plants may suffer from sudden die back. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse as soon as it is ripe in the autumn if this is possible, otherwise in early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July/August in a frame[200]. Softwood cuttings 5cm long in late spring[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (New South Wales (w. & c.), Queensland (south & central), South Australia, Victoria (n.w. & c.), Western Australia (south & central), Northern Territory (south))

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.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pimelea arenaria Shrub0.2 8-11  LMNDM101
Pimelea axiflora Shrub3.5 8-11  LMNDM002
Pimelea ligustrina Shrub2.5 8-11  LMNDM003
Pimelea paucifloraPoison PimeleaShrub3.0 8-11  LMNDM001
Pimelea prostrata Shrub0.1 8-11  LMNDM103

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

R.Br.

Botanical References

154

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Prof. A.G. Klein   Fri Nov 7 09:59:54 2003

THIS PLANT, COMMONLY KNOWN IN AUSTRALIA AS MALLEE RICE FLOWER, HAS TOXIC FRUIT! AFTER TASTING THE SMALL ORANGE BERRIES I GOT A BURNING SENSATION IN THE BACK OF THE THROAT, FOLLOWED BY VOMITING, NAUSEA AND VIOLENT DIARRHOEA THE MORNING AFTER. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE TOXIC PRINCIPLE IS ... PROBABLY SOME GLYCOSIDE. HAVE NOT YET FOUND PHARMACOLOGICAL REFERENCES BUT IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE A WEED, TOXIC TO CATTLE.

Dr Manfred Jusaitis   Oct 3 2012 12:00AM

I can confirm that this plant has toxic fruit!! Ripe fruit are yellowish in colour and taste very sweet. I ate maybe a dozen fruit from Pimelea microcephala plants found near Mambray Creek in SA in late September 2012. Within about 30-45 mins I developed a burning sensation in the back of my mouth and an unsettled tummy. Nausea occurred before blacking out for a couple of minutes. I was sweaty and clammy when I came to, and subsequently passed a large, loose motion. Symptoms were very similar to those attributed to Phorbol esters (see "Mind-altering & poisonous plants of the world", by Michael Wink & Ben-Erik van Wyk. (2008)).

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