Pittosporum undulatum
Cheesewood
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Pittosporum genus in the family Pittosporaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Pittosporaceae
- Genus
- Pittosporum
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 12 m
- Spread
- 8 m
- Fertility
- Lepidoptera
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Lepidoptera
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
This plant contains saponins[2][3]. 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].
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Can be grown as a windbreak hedge in the mildest areas of the country, resisting maritime exposure[4]. Wood. Used in the manufacture of golf clubs[6].
- Product or use
- Wood
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- Australia - New South Wales, Victoria.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - sow when ripe in the autumn or in late winter in a warm greenhouse[10][6]. 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[10]. 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[10]. Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame[6].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most well-drained soils of reasonably good quality in full sun or light shade[1][6]. Succeeds in dry soils. Tolerates maritime exposure[1]. This species is only hardy outdoors in the mildest areas of Britain[5], tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c[8]. Very amenable to pruning, plants can be cut right back into old wood if required[6]. The species in this genus are very likely to hybridize with other members of the genus[6]. 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[7]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Australian Medicinal Plants.
Ewart. A. J. Flora of Victoria.
Holliday. I. and Hill. R. A Field Guide to Australian Trees. Frederick Muller Ltd. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-85179-627-3
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Carolin. R. & Tindale. M. Flora of the Sydney Region Reed. Australia. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0730104001
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00