Practical
Plants

Zieria smithii

Sandfly Bush

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rutaceae
Genus
Zieria
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.8 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

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.

Relieves headaches, though in concentration it can cause headaches[2].

Material uses

An essential oil obtained from the leaves has similar properties to rue, Ruta graveolens[3]. The yield is about 0.4%[3]. The essential oil from rue is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring[5]. Rue was also formerly used as a strewing herb[1]. A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[3]. Wood - tough, yellow[3].

Product or use
Dye
Product or use
Essential
Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat
Sandy forests or cleared areas near the coast[2], also in humid forest valleys to elevated mountain ravines[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a warm greenhouse in the spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving the plants some protection from the cold for their first winter outdoors. Cuttings. We have no information but suggest trying cuttings of almost ripe wood, August in a frame.

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it could succeed outdoors in the milder areas of the country, especially if plants are obtained from the colder provenances of its range. See the plants native habitat for ideas on its cultivation needs.

References

  1. Niebuhr. A. D. Herbs of Greece. Herb Society of America. 1970-00-00

    ↩

  2. Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

  5. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

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