Pittosporum tenuifolium
| Pittosporum tenuifolium | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 23' |
| Width: | 13' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Pittosporum tenuifolium (common name: tawhiwhi)
Propagation: Seed - sow when ripe in the autumn or in late winter in a warm greenhouse[1][2]. The seed usually germinates freely. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, move the plants to a cold frame as soon as they are established and plant out late in the following spring[1]. Consider giving them some protection from the cold during their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Poor to fair percentage[1].
Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame[2].
Cultivation: Succeeds in most well-drained soils of reasonably good quality in full sun or light shade[3][2]. Succeeds in dry soils. Fairly tolerant of maritime exposure[4][5], but it can be killed by cold winds[6].
Hardy to about -10°c[6], it is tender outside the milder areas of Britain, but often self-sows when happy. Plants have reached a height of 9 metres in a sheltered position in eastern England[7].
A very ornamental plant[3], there are many named varieties[2].
Very amenable to pruning, plants can be cut right back into old wood if required[2].
The species in this genus are very likely to hybridize with other members of the genus[2]. When growing a species from seed it is important to ensure that the seed either comes from a known wild source, or from isolated specimens in cultivation.
Plants are widely cultivated for their foliage which lasts a long time in water and is used in flower arranging[7][4]. The flowers are honey-scented[8].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].
Range: New Zealand.
Habitat: Coastal to lower montane forests, North and South Islands, especially from North Cape and southwards[9].
Edibility: Gum - fragrant. It is obtained by bruising the bark or by incision[10][11].
Usage: Very tolerant of trimming, plants can be grown as a formal or informal hedge in exposed maritime areas, though they do not stand extreme exposure[7][4][2]. When grown as a formal hedge it is best trimmed in spring, though this will mean that the plant will not produce many flowers[12]. A compromise is to only trim the hedge every other year[12].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Wind: Tolerates maritime wind exposure
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: This plant contains saponins[13][14]. Saponins are found in many foods, such as some beans, and although they are fairly toxic to people they are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without any problem. They are also broken down i
Also Known As: P. mayi. Hort. P. nigricans.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Rosewarne Experimental Horticultural Station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, 1984.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Allan, Harry. Flora of New Zealand. Government Printer Publications, 1961.
- ↑ Laing, Robert. Plants of New Zealand. Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd, 1907.
- ↑ Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
- ↑ Lassak, Erich and Tara McCarthy. Australian Medicinal Plants.
- ↑ Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.