Drimys insipida

(R. Br. ex DC.) Druce

Pepper tree, Brush Pepperbush , Dorrigo pepper

Winteraceae Edible: Leaves, Berry, Fruit

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Summary

A shrub reaching 6 meters (19ft 8in) tall with hermaphroditic flowers. This species grows at a moderate pace and adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils across mildly acidic to basic pH ranges. It tolerates semi-shaded woodland conditions and prefers consistently moist soil.

Description

A bush or shrub. It grows 3 m tall. The leaves are bright green and soft and thick. They are narrow and glossy. They are 20 cm long by 4 cm wide and spiral around the stems. The stems are often red. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The berries are oval and are white to red when ripe.

Edible Uses

None known.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It grows in warm temperate and subtropical places. It grows in warmer locations.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from cuttings.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are 40 Tasmannia species.

Synonyms

Tasmannia insipida R. Br. ex DC.

References (13)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 967 (As Tasmannia insipida)
Caton, J.M. & Hardwick, R. J., 2016, Field Guide to Useful Native Plants from Temperate Australia. Harbour Publishing House. p 218 (As Tasmannia insipida)
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 197, 201
Cribb, A.B. & J.W., 1976, Wild Food in Australia, Fontana. p 60
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 297 (As Drimys)

Show all 13 references

Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 86
Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 247
Low, T., 1991, Wild Food Plants of Australia. Australian Nature FieldGuide, Angus & Robertson. p 73
Nicholson, N & H., 1996, Australian Rainforest Plants 2, Terania Rainforest Publishing. NSW. p 61
Pearson, S. & A., 1992, Rainforest Plants of Eastern Australia. Kangaroo Press p 183 (As Tasmannia insipida)
Ratcliffe D & P., 1987, Australian Native Plants for Indoors. Little Hills press. p 136
Robins, J., 1996, Wild Lime. Cooking from the Bush food garden. Allen & Unwin p 130
Williams, J.B., Harden, G.J., and McDonald, W.J.F., 1984, Trees and shrubs in rainforests of New South Wales and Southern Queensland. Univ. of New England, Armidale. p 52, 77