Pittosporum balansae
Aug. DC.
gbif· cc-by
Ulf Swenson (S)
gbif· cc-by
Ulf Swenson (S)
gbif· cc-by
Ulf Swenson (S)
Summary
An evergreen shrub reaching 3m tall. In leaf year-round, flowering April to June with seeds ripening August to December. Hermaphrodite. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils. Tolerates mildly acid to mildly alkaline pH. Grows in semi-shade to full sun. Prefers dry or moist soil.
Description
A shrub. Young branches have brown hairs. The leaves are clustered at the ends of the branches. The leaves are oblong or sword shaped. They are 5-16 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. The fruit is a flattened oval capsule. It is 2-3 cm long. There are about 8 seeds. They are dark red.
Edible Uses
The fruit is edible. No further details are available.
Medicinal Uses
None known.
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.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests and beside rivers between 1,500-1,800 m above sea level in southern China.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, Indochina, Myanmar, SE Asia, Vietnam,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in any well-drained soil, including dry soils, preferably in a sunny position but also succeeding in light shade. Very amenable to pruning, plants can be cut right back into old wood if required. The species in this genus are 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.
Propagation
Sow seed when ripe in autumn or in late winter in a warm greenhouse; it usually germinates freely. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle, move to a cold frame once established, and plant out in late spring the following year. Some protection from cold is advisable during their first winter outdoors. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5–7cm with a heel, can be taken in July or August and rooted in a frame, with a poor to fair success rate. Basal ripewood cuttings can be taken in late autumn in a cold frame.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 150 Pittosporum species. They are mainly tropical and subtropical.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Hacchau balansa
References (2)
- Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 1377 (As Pittosporum confertum)
- www.efloras.org Flora of China Volume 9
