Duboisia myoporoides

Corkwood
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Plantae
Clade:Angiosperms
Clade:Eudicots
Clade:Asterids
Order:Solanales
Family:Solanaceae
Genus:Duboisia
Species: D. myoporoides
Binomial name
Duboisia myoporoides

Duboisia myoporoides, or Corkwood, is a shrub or tree native to high-rainfall areas on the margins of rainforest in eastern Australia. It has a thick and corky bark.[1] The leaves are obovate to elliptic in shape, 4–15 cm long and 1–4 cm wide. The small white flowers are produced in clusters. This is followed by globose purple-black berries (not edible).

Uses

The leaves are a commercial source of pharmaceutically useful alkaloids. The same alkaloids render all plant parts poisonous. The leaves contain a number of alkaloids, including hyoscine (scopolamine), used for treating motion sickness, stomach disorders, and the side effects of cancer therapy.[2]

Duboisia myoporoides bark at Wyrrabalong National Park, Australia

References

  1. Conn, Barry J. (2001). "Duboisia myoporoides – New South Wales Flora Online". PlantNET – The Plant Information Network System. 2.0. Sydney, Australia: The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
  2. Low, Tim (1990). Bush Medicine, A Pharmacopoeia of Natural Remedies. Angus & Robertson. pp. 210–211. ISBN 978-0-207-16462-0.

Further literature

  • Foley, Paul (2006). "Duboisia myoporoides: the medical career of a native Australian plant". Historical Records of Australian Science. 17 (1): 31–69. doi:10.1071/hr06001. Retrieved 28 May 2013.


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