Common Name:

General Information

Pittosporum heterophyllum is an evergreen shrub usually growing around 2.5 metres tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use as a medicine. It is cultivated as an ornamental in Europe and America[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China (Sichuan, southeastern Xizang, northern Yunnan)

Habitat

Forests, valleys, slopes, stream sides, rocks; at elevations from 800 - 3,000 metres, occasionally to 4,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pittosporum heterophyllum is a moderately cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -10 to -15°c when fully dormant.
Pittosporum species generally grow best in a sunny position, but tolerate light shade. They succeed in most well-drained soils[, ].
The yellow flowers are strongly scented[].
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[].
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.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots and bark are used in the treatment of broken bones, burns, and cuts[].

Other Uses

None known

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[].
Basal ripewood cuttings late autumn in a cold frame[].