Eremophila debilis
(Andrews) Chinnock
Scrophulariaceae
Myoporum debile (Andrews) R.Br.
Myoporum diffusum R.Br.
Pogonia debilis Andrews
Common Name: Winter Apple
General Information
Eremophila debilis is a prostrate, spreading, evergreen shrub growing up to 1 metre tall and perhaps 2 metres wide.
The fruit has been gathered from the wild for local use as a food, but there are reports that it could have long-term toxicity - see notes on known hazards. The plant makes a desirable ground cover and is worthy of cultivation for its flowers, fruits and foliage[
343- Title
- Growing Native Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/
- Publisher
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of articles giving details of cultivation and matters of general interest (including a few plant uses) on over 250 Australian plants.
].
Known Hazards
The fruit of this plant probably contains a liver toxin[
173- Title
- Native Edible Plants of New Zealand.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Crowe. A.
- Publisher
- Hodder and Stoughton
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-340-508302
- Description
- A very well written and illustrated book based on the authors own experiments with living on a native diet.
].
Botanical References
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
265- Title
- Flora of the Sydney Region
- Publication
-
- Author
- Carolin. R. & Tindale. M.
- Publisher
- Reed. Australia.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0730104001
- Description
- Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.
Range
Australia - Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland. Northern New Zealand.
Habitat
Open forests, grassland and dry areas in Australia[
152- Title
- Australian Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T.
- Publisher
- New Holland Publishers
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1876334703
- Description
- A very good and readable guide to the subject.
,
265- Title
- Flora of the Sydney Region
- Publication
-
- Author
- Carolin. R. & Tindale. M.
- Publisher
- Reed. Australia.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0730104001
- Description
- Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.
]. By the coast between Raglan and Kawhia in New Zealand[
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 1.00 m |
| Self-fertile | Yes |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Eremophila debilis is found mainly in warm temperate to subtropical areas, but also extending into the tropics. It can tolerate occasional mild frosts, but appreciates the added protection given by growing it under trees[
343- Title
- Growing Native Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/
- Publisher
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of articles giving details of cultivation and matters of general interest (including a few plant uses) on over 250 Australian plants.
].
Succeeds in full sun and in moderate shade[
343- Title
- Growing Native Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/
- Publisher
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of articles giving details of cultivation and matters of general interest (including a few plant uses) on over 250 Australian plants.
]. Easily grown in most soils[
167- Title
- A Field Guide to Australian Trees.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Holliday. I. and Hill. R.
- Publisher
- Frederick Muller Ltd.
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0-85179-627-3
- Description
- A well illustrated and very readable book, but it does not contain much information for the plant project.
]. Found in the wild in clay soils[
343- Title
- Growing Native Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/
- Publisher
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of articles giving details of cultivation and matters of general interest (including a few plant uses) on over 250 Australian plants.
]. Succeeds in dry soils[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw or cooked[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. Slightly bitter[
144- Title
- Wild Food in Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Cribb. A. B. and J. W.
- Publisher
- Fontana
- Year
- 1976
- ISBN
- 0-00-634436-4
- Description
- A very good pocket guide.
]. A pleasantly salty-sweet flavour[
193- Title
- Wild Food Plants of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Low. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson.
- Year
- 1989
- ISBN
- 0-207-14383-8
- Description
- Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast
]. The fruits are 6 - 8mm long[
193- Title
- Wild Food Plants of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Low. T.
- Publisher
- Angus and Robertson.
- Year
- 1989
- ISBN
- 0-207-14383-8
- Description
- Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast
]. Caution is advised since the fruit probably contains a liver toxin[
173- Title
- Native Edible Plants of New Zealand.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Crowe. A.
- Publisher
- Hodder and Stoughton
- Year
- 1990
- ISBN
- 0-340-508302
- Description
- A very well written and illustrated book based on the authors own experiments with living on a native diet.
].
Medicinal
Used in the treatment of V.D. by the Australian Aborigines[
152- Title
- Australian Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T.
- Publisher
- New Holland Publishers
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1876334703
- Description
- A very good and readable guide to the subject.
].
Agroforestry Uses:
In cultivation, the density of its foliage produces an attractive ground cover plant. The numerous stems have upturned tips and layer (form roots) in the humus beneath[
343- Title
- Growing Native Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/
- Publisher
- Australian National Botanic Gardens
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A series of articles giving details of cultivation and matters of general interest (including a few plant uses) on over 250 Australian plants.
]..
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed - sow in a container in light shade a nursery. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on until large enough to plant out,.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel. Good percentage[
78- Title
- Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Sheat. W. G.
- Publisher
- MacMillan and Co
- Year
- 1948
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
