Duboisia hopwoodii – Pituri
A medium to large shrub growing naturally in inland regions, well suited to arid areas. Grows well in cultivation and makes a useful screen, plants stand up to cutting. Bears white, bell-shaped flowers with purple stripes in the throat, from winter to spring in its natural range.
An important plant for Aborigines, the powdered leaves and twigs are chewed for their effect on the body. Produces a narcotic effect due to the presence of nicotine alkaloids, and suppresses hunger. The plant goes through a particular preparation process for this, and only plants from specific areas are used for humans due to the differing levels of safe or poisonous alkaloids in plants from different areas. The leaves are poisonous to stock animals and camels.
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- Duboisia hopwoodii – pituri
Picture provided by Philip Clarke, from his new book Discovering Aboriginal Plant Use: Journeys of an Australian Anthropologist
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Scientific Name: | Duboisia hopwoodii |
| Common Name: | Pituri |
| Plant Type: | Small shrub, Large shrub |
| Height: | 2 ~ 5 metres |
| Width: | 1 ~ 3 metre |
| Flower Colour: | White, Purple |
| Flowering Time: | Spring, Winter |
| Ph Level: | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Type: | Sandy, Sandy loam, Poor soil |
| Plant Environment: | Low maintenance garden, Flower garden, Drought resistant |
| Climate Zone: | Warm temperate, Cool temperate, Mediterranean, Semi-arid, Arid |
| Light: | Sunny |
| Planting Season: | Spring |
| Growth Habit: | Evergreen, Open foliage, Spreading |
| Lifespan: | Perennial |
| Soil Moisture: | Well-drained |
| Propagation Method: | Seed |
| Frost Tolerance: | Tolerates light frost |
| Plant Usage: | Groundcover |
| Special Features: | Fast growing |
The information provided on the Gardening With Angus website is provided for general educational purposes about a variety of Australian plants. We recommend you seek further advice from qualified professionals regarding your own individual circumstances. Further disclaimer information>>
WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT
Once you have found the plant that looks right for you, the next step is where to buy it.
Most nurseries stock a good range of plants, but due to space and supplies, they may not always have the plant that you are searching for in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you if you request it.
Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you have planned on, they can often suggest alternatives that will also work well for you.
Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries. Click on the links for their details-
The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW
Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW
Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW
Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW
Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Geelong Native Plants – Victoria
Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria
Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland
Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland
Manuka Native Nursery – South Australia
MAIL ORDER NURSERIES –
Angus recommends Bush Tucker fertiliser for native plants.