Zieria smithii
Andrews.
Rutaceae
The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.
Common Name: Sandfly Bush
General Information
Zieria smithii is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 1.80 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials..
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
,
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
,
265- Title
- Flora of the Sydney Region
- Publication
-
- Author
- Carolin. R. & Tindale. M.
- Publisher
- Reed. Australia.
- Year
- 1993
- ISBN
- 0730104001
- Description
- Concise flora with little beyond an extensive key, species descriptions, very brief habitat description.
Range
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria.
Habitat
Sandy forests or cleared areas near the coast[
152- Title
- Australian Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T.
- Publisher
- New Holland Publishers
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1876334703
- Description
- A very good and readable guide to the subject.
], also in humid forest valleys to elevated mountain ravines[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Shrub |
| Height | 1.80 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
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.
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
Relieves headaches, though in concentration it can cause headaches[
152- Title
- Australian Medicinal Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T.
- Publisher
- New Holland Publishers
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 1876334703
- Description
- A very good and readable guide to the subject.
].
Other Uses
An essential oil obtained from the leaves has similar properties to rue, Ruta graveolens[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
]. The yield is about 0.4%[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
]. The essential oil from rue is used in perfumery and as a food flavouring[
61- Title
- A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Usher. G.
- Publisher
- Constable
- Year
- 1974
- ISBN
- 0094579202
- Description
- Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. Rue was also formerly used as a strewing herb[
148- Title
- Herbs of Greece.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Niebuhr. A. D.
- Publisher
- Herb Society of America.
- Year
- 1970
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A pleasant little book about Greek herbs.
].
A yellow dye is obtained from the bark[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
].
Wood - tough, yellow[
154- Title
- Flora of Victoria.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Ewart. A. J.
- Publisher
- University Press; Melbourne
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A flora of eastern Australia, it is rather short on information that is useful to the plant project.
].
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.
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Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
