Queensland duboisia

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Queensland duboisia
• corkwood
• poisonous corkwood
• yellow-basswood
• Leichhardt corkwood
• Leichhardt's corkwood
• Leichhardt's duboisia
• Queensland corkwood

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anthocercis leichhardtii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Solanales, and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Duboisia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is a specific species of medicinal flora with a very limited natural range. Its documented geographical distribution is confined entirely to the continent of Australia. Within this country, it can be found growing in the tropical regions of Queensland. This concentrated location suggests that the species relies on the particular climate and soil conditions found there. Consequently, its presence is highly localized to this specific northeastern part of the Australian landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Duboisia leiuchardtii is characterized by its status as a perennial species, meaning it maintains its vegetative structures and continues to live through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its cycle in a single year. As a long-lived plant, it undergoes a continuous cycle of growth, maturation, and reproduction, often establishing a stable presence within its native habitat. This perennial nature allows the plant to accumulate resources over time, supporting its structural development and ensuring its ability to produce flowers and seeds across successive years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Duboisia leichhardtii is characterized by its robust growth form, specifically developing as a tree. This species exhibits a woody structure and is capable of reaching a significant plant height, with a mean measurement of approximately 8 m. Regarding its climbing habits, the plant is classified as self-supporting.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

tree

Plant height mean:

8 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Duboisia leichhardtii is characterized by complex metabolic pathways centered on the biosynthesis of tropane alkaloids, which are synthesized through the modification of ornithine or arginine precursors within specialized tissues. The plant's nutrient acquisition strategy relies on the uptake of inorganic nitrogen from the soil to support the high metabolic demands of alkaloid production; however, it does not function as a nitrogen fixer, as it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria necessary to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms. Its physiological processes are governed by standard photoautotrophic mechanisms, utilizing chlorophyll-driven photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy, which subsequently fuels the secondary metabolic processes essential for its chemical profile. The regulation of its internal nitrogen economy is strictly dependent on the availability of soil nitrates and ammonium, dictating the rate of biomass accumulation and the concentration of its bioactive constituents.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Duboisia leichhardtii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Scientific reports

Chemicals

Duboisia leichhardtii has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Betulin, nicotine, scopolamine.

Betulin

1. Dr. Duke

nicotine

1. Scientific reports

scopolamine

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Duboisia leichhardtii has 12 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include AntiHIV, Anticarcinomic, Antifeedant, Antiflu, Antiinflammatory.

AntiHIV

1. Dr. Duke

Anticarcinomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antiflu

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antitumor

1. Dr. Duke

Antiviral

1. Dr. Duke

Aphidifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Hypolipemic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations