Corkwood
Duboisia myoporoides

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

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.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

High-rainfall areas on the margins of rainforests at elevations up to 1,000 metres. Also found in rainforest regrowth. Sandy soils in open forest, rainforest margins and coastal dunes.

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, north to New Caledonia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia; New Caledonia

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

The leaves contain various alkaloids and have been used to make intoxicating drinks. 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).

Medicine

Rating: 3

The leaves are a bitter, hypnotic herb that dilates the pupils, stimulates respiration and acts as a sedative. It contains duboisine, a mydriatic alkaloid. The leaves contain various alkaloids and have been used to make intoxicating drinks. The plant is a rich source of tropane alkaloids. 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. The herb is subject to legal restrictions in some countries. 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).

Other

Rating: 2

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

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.

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.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

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. Plants can tolerate some frost. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 600 - 2,500mm. Prefers a light, well-drained soil and a sunny position. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7. Plants can flower virtually all year round. The plant has a suckering habit, especially after fires, and has the potential of becoming a weed.

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

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

All parts of the plant are poisonous due to the presence of alkaloids. The plant has been used to poison fish. An infusion of the leaves is toxic to rats, dogs, cats, and frogs and, in larger quantities, to humans.

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

Its other names

Local names

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

Synonyms

Entrecasteauxia elliptica Montrouz.