Pittosporum undulatum - Vent.

Common Name

Cheesewood, Australian cheesewood, Cheesewood, Pittosporum, Orange Berry Pittosporum, Victorian Box

Family

Pittosporaceae

USDA hardiness

9-11

Known Hazards

This plant contains saponins[152, 154]. 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. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Habitats

Sheltered situations and rainforests[167, 265].

Range

Australia - New South Wales, Victoria.

Edibility Rating

(0 of 5)

Other Uses

(3 of 5)

Weed Potential

Yes

Medicinal Rating

(0 of 5)

Care (info)


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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Pittosporum undulatum is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate.It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).
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. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Hedge Hedge Wood

Can be grown as a windbreak hedge in the mildest areas of the country, resisting maritime exposure[167]. Wood. Used in the manufacture of golf clubs[200].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming Hedge Hedge Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Experimental Crop Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon Management: Standard

Landscape Uses:Container, Screen, Specimen. Succeeds in most well-drained soils of reasonably good quality in full sun or light shade[1, 200]. Succeeds in dry soils. Tolerates maritime exposure[1]. This species is only hardy outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[182], tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[260]. Very amenable to pruning, plants can be cut right back into old wood if required[200]. 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. The flowers are powerfully scented at night and are pollinated by night-flying moths[245]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

Carbon Farming

Experimental Crop Plant breeders are testing these plants to see if they could be domesticated for cultivation, but they are still in an experimental phase. Examples include milkweed and leafy spurge.
Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
Management: Standard Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant 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

Native Range

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (Tasmania, New South Wales (east), Queensland (southeast), Victoria)

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 :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Pittosporum balansae		Shrub	3.0	-		LMH	SN	DM	1	0
Pittosporum bicolor	Banyalla	Shrub	5.0	8-11		LMH	SN	DM	0	0	3
Pittosporum crassifolium	Karo, Stiffleaf cheesewood	Shrub	5.0	8-11		LM	SN	DM	0	0	3
Pittosporum eugenioides	Tarata	Tree	10.0	8-11		LM	SN	DM	1	1	1
Pittosporum phillyreoides	Weeping Pittosporum, Narrow-leaf Pittosporum	Shrub	4.5	9-11	S	LM	N	DM	2	1	2
Pittosporum ralphii	Ralph's desertwillow	Shrub	4.0	8-11		LM	N	DM	0	0	3
Pittosporum resiniferum	Petroleum nut	Tree	25.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	M	0	3	4
Pittosporum tenuifolium	Tawhiwhi	Tree	7.0	7-10	M	LM	SN	DM	2	0	3
Pittosporum tobira	Tobira, Japanese cheesewood, Australian Laurel, Mock Orange, Japanese Pittosporum	Shrub	6.0	8-11	F	LM	SN	DM	0	0	3

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

Vent.

Botanical References

200265

Links / References

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

Readers comment


Tom Goodland, University of Wales, Bangor, UK; [email protected]	Tue Mar 7 2006

Pittosporum undulatum is a very serious weed tree in at least a dozen countries round the world, in subtropical and tropical montane forests and woodlands. Unless the UK gets a lot milder i don't think it poses a problem here, but its use in warmer climates should be very carefully thought about.