Prickly Duranta


Photo: Macbird Floraprint		Prickly Duranta Duranta erecta Berried Plants Queensland Wet Tropics Region

	A dense shrub usually growing to 4-5m with pendulous branches bearing blue, white or purple flowers, followed by orange berries. This very popular garden plant has had a renaissance in popularity with the introduction of several new forms in recent years. Whilst many are kept well pruned into effective hedges, particularly in local government areas and commercial premises others are left unkempt and form berries.

HOW IT SPREADS The berries are highly attractive to birds. If a plant is allowed to form berries, birds ingest them and distribute the plants widely in native bushland, creating thickets and upsetting the ecosystem. Do not allow existing plants to form berries. Either prune immediately after flowering or remove the plant entirely if regular maintenance is not practical.

Note: This plant is also considered poisonous.





Other superior selections include; Graptophyllum pictum - Caricature Plant Ixora species and cultivars - Ixoras Ask your local retailer for more superior selections

Alternative Plants


Photo: Macbird Floraprint		Holly Fuchsia Graptophyllum ilicifolium Trees and Shrubs

	Fantastic Australian native plant with interesting glossy holly like leaves reaching 2m in height. It has beautiful pink tubular flowers in the warmer months. This plant performs at its best with some protection from midday sun.

Photo: Macbird Floraprint		Lilly Pillies Syzygium australe cultivars Trees and Shrubs

	This superb Australian native rainforest plant has glossy green foliage, a profusion of fluffy white flowers and small colourful berries. There are many different cultivars of this plant with a wide range of growth habits, foliage types and berry colours. Many make highly desirable hedges and screens. 'Elite', 'Bush Christmas' and 'Hinterland Gold' are three of many suitable selections.

Photo: Macbird Floraprint		Port Wine Magnolia Magnolia 'Coco' Syn. Michelia 'Coco' Trees and Shrubs

	New cultivar of the ever popular Port Wine Magnolia performs well in the tropics. It has glossy green leaves and a bushy habit growing to 3m. It has fragrant white and maroon flowers in spring that smell like port wine!