18 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF QUEENSLAND, 



pedunculata, E.Br., would be found to possess medicinal properties. 

 One of the genus in former times in Europe was called Gratia 

 Dei, on account of its medicinal properties, wKicli are said to be 

 bitter, purgative and emetic — poisonous in large doses. The 

 European species if abundant in tlie pasture, is said to be 

 dangerous to cattle. 



Attention may be drawn to a small shrub of Myoporinece called 

 EremopMla maculata, E. v. M., or Native Euchsia, wbich. is 

 regarded as a poison bush, by some graziers, altbougb others 

 consider it quite harmless and with others of the genus, good 

 fodder bushes. The plant bears a profusion of handsome red 

 and yellow flowers, which should recommend it for garden culture 

 and as there seems a doubt of its properties it would be well to 

 have it examined for medicinal purposes. The shrub is abundant 

 throughout the Warrego and Barcoo. 



Vitex trifolia, Linn. A shrub of VerhenacecB, having mealy- 

 white leaves of from three to five leaflets and terminal panicles 

 of pale blue flowers. Very common along our coast, and at one 

 time on the Brisbane River. In India where it is common the 

 small round acrid fruit is called ^^filfil burree " or wild pepper. 

 The leaves are said to be a powerful discutient and are employed 

 by the Malays to remove the boss. In other places the leaves 

 are given in decoction and infusion and form a cataplasm which 

 is applied to the enlarged spleen. To this order also belongs 

 the White Mangrove, Avicennia officinalis, Linn., a tree widely 

 spread over the warmer maritime regions of the new and old 

 world. The flowers of this tree are not very conspicuous, being 

 of a greenish yellow colour ; but the fruit which begins to 

 germinate before it falls, may be seen in great abundance along 

 the water's edge, and has somewhat the appearance of sprouting 

 broad-beans. The bark is used at Rio Janeiro for tanning. The 

 unripe seeds are used in India as poultices, and when ripe boiled 

 and eaten by the poor. 



