Australian Native Pittosporum
Leaves that fall from the tree can inhibit the growth of other plants.
Australian native pittosporum. Tolerant of most well drained soils and situations moderate frosts and dry periods. Common names silver sheen green pillar golden pillar james stirling silver stirling silver song golf ball and others. It is sometimes also known as sweet pittosporum native daphne australian cheesewood victorian box or mock orange. It should never be planted as it is also one of the most invasive weeds in our bushland.
Used in windbreaks and it makes good firewood and charcoal. There are about 14 australian species occurring in all states. Grows well in full sun or shade. However it has become a weed in all states of australia except for the northern territory.
Sweet pittosporum pittosporum undulatum is a local native species which has been popular as a garden plant for some time because of its lush european appearance and sweet scented flowers. Its natural range is the coastal strip from the south east corner of queensland to the eastern side of melbourne. Pittosporum is a large genus which extends beyond australia to the warmer regions of africa asia the pacific islands and new zealand. Botanical name pittosporum tenuifolium is the most commonly used species.
This australian tree is planted as an ornamental because of its very fragrant flowers. It carries conspicuous orange woody fruits about 1 cm in diameter for several months after flowering in spring or early summer. Recent research has shown that pittosporum undulatum sweet pittosporum which was previously on the fire retardant list has now proven to be highly flammable once dried out and heated up by bushfires. It is adaptable to a range of acid soils and is hardy to frost and drought.
This plant is native to eastern australia where it grows in rainforest wet and dry sclerophyll forest and woodland. Soil humus rich well drained. It will grow in either full sun or part shade. Pittosporum undulatum is a tree growing to 15 m tall with wavy undulating leaf edges.