Common Name:

General Information

Pittosporum rhombifolium is an evergreen shrub or tree with a narrow canopy; it can grow from 13 - 30 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials and is of potential use in medicine. It is grown as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - northern Queensland to northern New South Wales

Habitat

Well-drained soils, near-coastal situations in rainforest and dry vine scrub, occasionally in drier woodland[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pittosporum rhombifolium is native to the subtropical and tropical climates of eastern Australia. It is not very cold-tolerant, but can be grown outdoors in the mildest parts of the temperate zone[].
Pittosporum species generally grow best in a sunny position, but tolerate light shade. They succeed in most well-drained soils[, ].
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

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

Other Uses

The white wood is close-grained, A handsome wood, though rather soft. It is useful for turnery, and possibly also as a substitute for Box-wood (Buxus species) in wood-engraving. When fresh cut it emits a very agreeable delicate odour, not unlike mignonette[]..

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[].