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Native Mulberry

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Pipturus argenteus

Plant Number: 13

Common Name: Native Mulberry, False Stinger, White Nettle

Scientific NamePipturus argenteus 

Derivation of name

Pipturus -  from the Greek "pipto" to fall and "oura", of the tail - in reference to the hairy tail-like stigma

argenteus - Latin for 'silvery' referring to the undersurface of the leaves

Description

  • Non-stinging, fast growing nettle to 8 m found on margins of rainforest in south-eastern Queensland
  • Very soft stems, easy to break
  • Soft leaves with toothed margins, deep green above, silvery underneath due to a dense covering of white hairs
  • Soft, juicy, white fruit to 6 mm which bear the seeds on the outside
  • Male and female white flowers on separate plants

Human uses

Indigenous Australians used the leaves, roots and sap in traditional medicine.  The fruit was eaten while the bark was used for textiles, cordage and fibre for fishing nets.

Acknowledgment: Mangroves to Mountains, Tuckerbush, Wild Food Plants of Australia, Save our Waterways Now

Photo Credit: Lauren Gutierrez


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Last reviewed 15 June 2021
Last updated 15 June 2021