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Overview
Duranta repens or Duranta erecta as it is sometimes known is a bushy evergreen shrub with pendulous branches.
It has pale green foliage and pale lilac flowers that mature to yellow berries that attract the birds to your garden.
Mature plants can have have sharp thorns up to 2cm long.
Viewed by some as old fashioned it does however make a great screen, though it is frost tender.
Soil: Fertile, well drained soil preferred but will adapt to almost any position.
Can withstand drought.
Maintenance: A vigorous pruning will promote bushy growth and a fuller flush of flowers next time round.
Diseases: Sometimes troubled by whiteflies
Invasiveness: NB. This can be an environmental weed in some areas, so check with local sources to see if this is the case in your area.
Toxicity: It has been known since the late 19th century that he leaves and particularly the berries of the plant are toxic and can be dangerous to children, dogs and cats.
Symptoms of Duranta poisoning include upset stomach, drowsiness, nausea, fever, vomiting and possibly convulsions.
No warning of its potentially lethal toxicity is included on its plant labels or publicised by plant nurseries.
Other Species: 10 species - although "Elissia" is not a separate species, just a variation on "Repens"
Comments: Named after Castor Durantes - a Roman physician and botanist.
Author: Bob Saunders.