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Pittosporum eugenioides - A.Cunn.

Common Name Tarata
Family Pittosporaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards Although no mention has been found for this species, some members of this genus contain saponins. 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 if the food is thoroughly cooked for a long time.
Habitats Lowland and montane forests, North and South Islands[44, 173].
Range New Zealand.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Pittosporum eugenioides Tarata


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cillas
Pittosporum eugenioides Tarata
www.flickr.com/photos/joshsjackson

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Pittosporum eugenioides is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 5 m (16ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Gum  Gum

A resin obtained by incision or bruising the bark is used as a chewing gum[173].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antihalitosis

Antihalitosis[173].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Gum  Gum  Hair  Pot-pourri  Resin

The resin is also used as a hair oil, in pot pourri and to treat halitosis[173].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil[182, 200], including dry soils, preferably in a sunny position[182] but also succeeding in light shade[200]. Not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[200]. Plants succeed outdoors in Cornwall, though they need greenhouse protection in other parts of the country[1]. Very amenable to pruning, plants can be cut right back into old wood if required[200]. There are some named varieties selected for their ornamental value[182]. 'Variegatum' is hardier than the type[219]. The species in this genus are very likely to hybridize with other members of the genus[200]. 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 in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow when ripe in the autumn or in late winter in a warm greenhouse[78, 200]. 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[78]. 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[78]. Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pittosporum balansae Shrub3.0 -  LMHSNDM10 
Pittosporum bicolorBanyallaShrub5.0 8-11  LMHSNDM003
Pittosporum crassifoliumKaro, Stiffleaf cheesewoodShrub5.0 8-11  LMSNDM003
Pittosporum phillyreoidesWeeping Pittosporum, Narrow-leaf PittosporumShrub4.5 9-11 SLMNDM212
Pittosporum ralphiiRalph's desertwillowShrub4.0 8-11  LMNDM003
Pittosporum resiniferumPetroleum nutTree25.0 10-12 MLMHNM034
Pittosporum tenuifoliumTawhiwhiTree7.0 7-10 MLMSNDM203
Pittosporum tobiraTobira, Japanese cheesewood, Australian Laurel, Mock Orange, Japanese PittosporumShrub6.0 8-11 FLMSNDM003
Pittosporum undulatumCheesewood, Australian cheesewood, Cheesewood, Pittosporum, Orange Berry Pittosporum, Victorian BoxTree12.0 9-11 FLMSNDM003

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

A.Cunn.

Botanical References

44200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Cameron Stuart   Sun May 23 03:02:38 2004

I found this information to be very useful, my wife and I are growing Tarata?s along the side of our front garden (Victoria, Australia). Initially we purchased the seedlings from a nursery. But now, thanks to your database we have the information required to strike our own cuttings and grow Tarata?s around the entire perimeter of the property.

Jill Chatterton   Tue Feb 28 2006

Want a picture of overall shape of mature tree

rajwinder singh   Thu Apr 5 2007

what is the species of cordyline australis what is the variety of hebe parviflora var.arborea what is the cultivator of hebe x franciscana 'blue gem ' what is the synonym of brachyglottis greyii syn . senecio greyii

Murray Broadbent   Mon May 5 2008

Just wondering if these are ok as a shelter belt where livestock (cattle) are grazing ?

   Jun 25 2014 12:00AM

The leaves of this plant contain saponins ("saponin Pittosporum" (I assume that's a specific type of saponin) Ref: Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand Vol 1 No 7 May 31 1963. So as an experiment I put some in a blender with water, it did produce bubbles/lather. I tried washing my hair in it after put it through a strainer to get rid of the leaf fragments, everyone said it looked like I hadn't washed my hair in months. My first experiment in producing shampoo, perhaps it has potential & I did something wrong. The leaves have a very nice smell. David Nicholls

   May 10 2017 12:00AM

I was under the impression that tarata had separate male and female flowers. There are multiple images of female and male flowers, with the male having clearly visible stamen and female lacking these.

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