poison-bush

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


name given to a genus of poisonous Australian shrubs, Gastrolobium (q.v.).

Out of the thirty-three described species of the genus Gastrolobium, only one is found out of WesternAustralia; G. grandiflorum, F. v. M., is thepoison-bush of the Queensland interior and of CentralAustralia. The name is also given to Swainsonia Greyana,Lindl., N.O. Leguminosae.

The Darling-Pea (q.v.), or Indigo-Plant (q.v.),has similar poisonous effects to the Gastrolobium.These species of Gastrolobium go under the various names of Desert Poison-Bush, York-Road Poison-Bush, Wallflower; and the names of EllangowanPoison-Bush (Queensland), and Dogswood Poison-Bush(New South Wales), are given to Myoporum deserti,A. Cunn., N.O. Myoporineae, while another plant, Trema aspera, Blume., N.O. Urticaceae,is called Peach-leaved Poison-Bush.

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 129:

«These plants are dangerous to stock, and are hence called`Poison Bushes.' Large numbers of cattle are lost annually inWestern Australia through eating them. The finest and strongestanimals are the first victims; a difficulty of breathing isperceptible for a few minutes, when they stagger, drop down,and all is over with them. . . . It appears to be that thepoison enters the circulation, and altogether stops the actionof the lungs and heart.»

Ibid. p. 141:

«This plant [ S. greyana] is reported to cause madness,if not death itself, to horses. The poison seems to act on thebrain, for animals affected by it refuse to cross even a smalltwig lying in their path, probably imagining it to be a greatlog. Sometimes the poor creatures attempt to climb trees, orcommit other eccentricities.»

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

← poison-berry tree   ×   poison-tree →

Related Words