Practical
Plants

Emex australis

Doublegee

an annual member of the Emex genus in the family Polygonaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Emex
Life cycle
annual
Height
0.1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Flower type
monoecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves cooked[5][6]. The leaves contain oxalates and are laxative in large quantities[5][6]. There are no edible uses listed for Emex australis.

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

When eaten in quantity, the leaves have a laxative effect upon the body[1][3].

Environment

Range
S. Africa. Introduced and naturalized in all mainland states of Australia.
Habitat
Found in many habitats, especially grass plains[2]. A weed of waste ground and pastures[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed -

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

None known

References

  1. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-00-634436-4

    ↩

  2. Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0730104001

    ↩

  5. Cribb. A. B. and J. W. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana ISBN 0-00-634436-4 (1976-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

  6. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)

    ↩1↩2

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