Duboisia hopwoodii
(F.Muell.) F.Muell.
Solanaceae
Common Name: Pituri
General Information
Pituri is a small, wispy shrub growing up from 0.8 - 4 metres tall.
Commonly used as a stimulant and medicinal herb by the Aborigines of Australia, the plant is cultivated in Australia for the industrial-scale extraction of alkaloids[
].
Known Hazards
An infusion of the leaves is toxic to rats, dogs, cats, and frogs and, in larger quantities, to humans[
].
Botanical References
365- Title
- Flora of New South Wales
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/floraonline.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line resource giving a brief botanical description of all the native plants of New South Wales, their habitat and range, together with diagrams and photographs of the plants.
Range
Australia - New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia
Habitat
Arid regions on yellow or red sand, sandy loam, on plains, low dunes & rises[
]. Arid regions on red sand in mallee and woodland communities[
365- Title
- Flora of New South Wales
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/floraonline.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line resource giving a brief botanical description of all the native plants of New South Wales, their habitat and range, together with diagrams and photographs of the plants.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Shrub |
| Height | 2.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Mainly found in the subtropics, but just extending into tropical areas.
Edible Uses
On the basis of its high nicotine content, chewed by the Australian aborigines like tobacco ('pituri')[
].
Medicinal
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.
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
