Common Name:

General Information

Brunfelsia australis is an evergreen shrub or small tree with ascending, spreading branches; it can grow 2 - 4 metres tall. The short bole can be 8cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food condiment and medicine. The entire plant is frequently covered with fragrant, showy purple and white flowers at the same time, making this species a valuable ornamental - it is cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics[]. The flower opens purple with a white eye and changes from purple to lavender on the second day and to white on the third.

Known Hazards

The foliage is said to be poisonous to grazing animals[].
Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most plants in the family Solanaceae also contain poisonous alkaloids. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil.

Habitat

An understorey plant in low-elevation forests near to rivers and in adjacent uplands, usually in places not subject to periodic inundation; at elevations up to 450 metres[].

Properties

Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant mainly of the subtropics, where it is generally found at elevations below 500 metres, it has also been found at elevations above 1,000 metres in the tropics of Colombia and Ecuador.
Grows best in a position with partial shade - when growing in full sun the foliage may scorch and drop[]. Prefers a loamy, fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil[]. Many species in this genus grow wild in alkaline soils and, in non-alkaline soils, all members of the genus can benefit from the addition of some ground limestone[].
Plants usually produce root suckers around the main trunk[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - added to foods as a condiment[].

Medicinal

The root is used as a remedy for syphilis[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - it has a short period of viability and does not tolerate dessication. Sown fresh, it germinates within 2 - 4 weeks[].
Layering[].
Division of suckers.

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