pituri

English

Alternative forms

• pitcheri, pitchery, pitchurie, pitjuri

Etymology

From Yandruwandha bijirri, and its source, Pitta-Pitta pijiri.

Noun

pituri (uncountable)

1. The prepared leaves of an Australian shrub, Duboisia hopwoodii, chewed as a stimulant by Aboriginal Australians; also the shrub itself. [from 19th c.]

   Synonyms: mingkulpa, native tobacco

   • 1987, Bruce Chatwin, The Songlines, Vintage, published 1998, page 258:

     Winston rolled his head and eyes from side to side, like a man ‘on’ pitjuri.