We depend on donations from users of our database of over 8000 edible and useful plants to keep making it available free of charge and to further extend and improve it. In recent months donations are down, and we are spending more than we receive. Please give what you can to keep PFAF properly funded. More >>>

Follow Us:

 

pittosporum tobira - (Thunb.)W.T.Aiton.

Common Name Tobira, Japanese cheesewood, Australian Laurel, Mock Orange, Japanese Pittosporum
Family Pittosporaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
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 Rocky hillsides by the coast[184]. Forests, limestone areas, slopes, sandy seashores and roadsides from sea level to 1800 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - southern China, southern Japan, southern Korea.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
pittosporum tobira Tobira, Japanese cheesewood, Australian Laurel, Mock  Orange, Japanese Pittosporum


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI
pittosporum tobira Tobira, Japanese cheesewood, Australian Laurel, Mock  Orange, Japanese Pittosporum
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:KENPEI

 

Translate this page:

Summary

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


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
pittosporum tobira is an evergreen Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. 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 and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

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

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Read More

FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Shelterbelt

Very tolerant of pruning and maritime exposure, it can be grown as a wind resistant hedge. It can be used in shelterbelt plantings[200].

Special Uses

Hedge  Hedge  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Hedge, Massing, Screen, Standard, Seashore, Specimen. Succeeds in most well-drained soils of reasonably good quality in full sun or light shade[200]. Succeeds in dry soils[200]. Very resistant to maritime exposure[184]. Established plants are drought resistant[182]. Hardy to about -10°c[184], succeeding outdoors on the coast of S. England and in London[184]. Plants can be up to 10m tall in their native habitat but rarely exceed 2m in Britain. There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[200]. The flowers are very fragrant, with a scent reminiscent of orange blossom[219] and can pervade the air for a considerable distance[245]. 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. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, Fragrant flowers, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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

Fahrenheit:

image

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

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 eugenioidesTarataTree10.0 8-11  LMSNDM111
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.

 

Print Friendly and PDF

Expert comment

Author

(Thunb.)W.T.Aiton.

Botanical References

200266

Links / References

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

Readers comment

david   Sat Nov 4 02:31:35 2000

PS Disclaimer:(obviously!) I cant recommend this as safe or effective, the authors above say the same

david Nicholls   Mon Jul 31 22:59:47 2000

The book "new zealand medicinal plants"(Brooker,cambie,cooper 1991 Reed) breifly notes a study (van der berghe, D.A"Sreening of higher plants for biological activities" Lloydia 41:463-71(CA 1978, 89;204192) in which P.tobira ranks strongly for anti-viral activity.

I've been unable to find any more recent uses or studies following from this, would be very interesting to know. For something so recent the uses may be patented I suppose.

david nicholls   Sun Oct 15 14:44:00 2000

P tobira Murdoch Riley notes the bark is( or was) used in China for toothache rheumatism and dysentery. Ref: p441Maori Healing and Herbal 1994 viking sevenseas ltd

Richard Lia   Thu Feb 26 10:02:29 2004

Would be interested to find out whether P.tobira is safe for planting in my aviary. It would be useful as a nesting site in view of its shrubby growth, but I couldn't find any literature regarding its effects on birds, particularly if they ingest its seeds or flowers, or leaves for that matter. Kindly shed some light on this issue. The birds I intend to house in the aviary are doves and finches.

Add a comment

If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.

* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.

To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.

Subject : pittosporum tobira  
© 2010, Plants For A Future. Plants For A Future is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. Charity No. 1057719, Company No. 3204567.