Common Name: Cheesewood

General Information

Pittosporum bicolor is an evergreen shrub or small tree with a narrow crown; it usually grows from 3 - 10 metres tall, though is usually much shorter at higher elevations and is occasionally epiphytic[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental, where it makes a good hedge.

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. 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[].

Botanical References

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Range

Australia - southeastern New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania

Habitat

Fairly common in montane, damp, shady gully floors and slopes with south to south-east aspects in tall open eucalypt forests; mainly at higher elevations, extending up to 1,300 metres alsong watercourses[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pittosporum bicolor is not very hardy away from the mildest regions of the temperate zone, generally tolerating short periods with temperatures falling to around -5°c. Plants require winter protection at Kew Gardens London (zone 7 - 8) but grow well outdoors in the southern and western maritime counties of Britan, where some specimens have reached 10 metres tall[, ].
Succeeds in any well-drained soil[, ], including dry soils, preferably in a sunny position[] but also succeeding in light shade[].
The small flowers are highly fragrant[]. They open over a long season, though they are mainly open in the spring[].
Very amenable to pruning, plants can be cut right back into old wood if required[].
Although flowers usually appear to be hermaphrodite, many species of Pittosporum are functionally dioecious, with individual specimens bearing mainly or totally flowers of one sex only. Even so, occasional functionally hermaphrodite flowers will appear and, in at least some species, these flowers can be self-compatible and produce fertile seed even in the absence of any other plants of that species[].
This species hybridizes in the wild with Pittosporum undulatum[].
The species in this genus are also very likely to hybridize with other members of the genus[]. 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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A gum-resin obtained from the trunk is of potential use in medicine[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is very amenable to trimming and makes a good wind-resistant hedge[].

Other Uses

The tree is said to yield a pale, useful gum[].

The yellowish-white wood is very hard and of uniform texture and colour. It turns well, and should be tested for wood engraving. It was traditionally used to make warclubs and is much esteemed in the manufacture of billiard cues and axe handles[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow when ripe in the autumn or in late winter in a warm greenhouse[, ]. 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[]. Consider giving them some protection from the cold during their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel, mid summer in a frame. Poor to fair percentage[].
Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame[].