Pittosporum undulatum

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Pittosporum undulatum
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Evergreen
Height:39'
Width:26'
Blooms:Late Spring-Mid Summer
Native to:
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Pittosporum undulatum (common name: cheesewood)

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. Tolerates maritime exposure[3].

This species is only hardy outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[4], tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[5].

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.

The flowers are powerfully scented at night and are pollinated by night-flying moths[6].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[2].

Range: Australia - New South Wales, Victoria.

Habitat: Sheltered situations and rainforests[7][8].

Usage: Can be grown as a windbreak hedge in the mildest areas of the country, resisting maritime exposure[7].

Wood. Used in the manufacture of golf clubs[2].

Pollinators: Lepidoptera

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[9][10]. 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

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
  4. Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
  5. Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
  6. Genders, Roy. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale, 1994.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Holliday, Ivan and Ron Hill. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller, 1974.
  8. Carolin, R. Flora of the Sydney Region. Reed, 1993.
  9. Lassak, Erich and Tara McCarthy. Australian Medicinal Plants.
  10. Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.