Duboisia spp.

corkwood

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Duboisia spp. is a genus of three species of evergreen shrubs and small trees in the nightshade family, Solanaceae, native to Australia and New Caledonia, where they are called corkwoods for their soft, corky bark. Plants grow 2-12 m (7-40 ft) tall, with alternate, soft, often greyish leaves and clusters of small, white, bell-shaped flowers 3-6 mm (0.1-0.2 in) long. Small black berries follow the flowers. All species contain tropane alkaloids, chiefly hyoscyamine and scopolamine, which are toxic to humans and animals if ingested. D. myoporoides and D. leichhardtii are grown commercially for these alkaloids, which are extracted for medical use, while D. hopwoodii, known as pituri, was chewed by Aboriginal peoples of central Australia as a stimulant. The genus grows in open forest, scrub, and arid inland country, and many species are drought-tolerant and fast-growing. In cultivation corkwoods are grown as fast screens and shade plants in warm, frost-free climates.

Native Range

Native to eastern and inland Australia and to New Caledonia. Plants grow in open eucalypt forest, coastal scrub, and arid inland country on a range of soils.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a fast screen, windbreak, and shade shrub in warm, dry gardens and on rural properties. Used in revegetation of inland sites, and grown commercially as a crop for pharmaceutical alkaloids.

How to Identify

Identified by soft, corky bark, alternate soft greyish leaves, and clusters of small white bell-shaped flowers followed by small black berries. The inland species D. hopwoodii has slender leaves, while D. myoporoides has broader foliage. A nightshade habit combined with corky bark separates the genus from related shrubs.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height7' - 40'

Width/Spread7' - 20'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks

Winter Spring

Small white, bell-shaped flowers appear in clusters from late winter through spring, with some flowering after rain at other times. The flowers are followed by small black berries. Both flowers and berries contain toxic alkaloids.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

greyish green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam clay rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-4 years to screening size

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to part shade in free-draining soil of low to moderate fertility, and tolerates dry, infertile inland ground once established. Young plants benefit from regular water, while mature plants are drought-tolerant. The genus is frost-tender and is grown in warm, frost-free climates. Growth is fast, and plants can be cut back hard to renew screens. All parts contain tropane alkaloids that are toxic to people and livestock if eaten.

Pruning

Plants tolerate hard pruning and are cut back after flowering to maintain dense screens. Dead and straggly growth is removed at the same time. Regrowth from old wood is vigorous.

Pruning Schedule

late spring

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans

Shrubs