Pittosporum ferrugineum

Dryander ex W.T. Aiton

Rusty Pittosporum, Mock Orange

Pittosporaceae Edible: Seeds Potential hazards — see below 75 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Pittosporum ferrugineum, commonly known as the rusty pittosporum or rusty-leaved pittosporum, is an evergreen plant in the family Pittosporaceae native to Malesia, Papuasia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Description

A tall shrub or small tree. It grows up to 20 m tall. Sometimes it is only 3-4 m tall. The branches have rusty hairs. The leaves are 25 cm long by 8 cm wide. They are alternate and sword shaped. They are dark green above and with rusty hairs underneath. Flowers are about 0.8 cm across. They are white or creamy yellow. They occur in groups at the ends of branches. The flower petals are 6-7 mm long. The fruit is a 3-valve capsule. It is tiny and the fruit is a dull yellow. The fruit is about 1.5 cm across. The seeds are right red and sticky.

Edible Uses

The seeds are edible.

Medicinal Uses

None mentioned.

Known Hazards

The bruised leaves and ftruits contain saponins and are used as a fish poison.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It suits seasonally dry areas. It does best in shade. It needs well drained soils. It grows in vine forests and on the edges of rainforests.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Christmas Island, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Pohnpei, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings of firm young growth.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 7cm with a heel. Basal ripewood cuttings in a cold frame.

Other Uses

The wood is soft with a pale yellow sapwood. It is sometimes used for fuel, probably because it contains a flammable resin.

Notes

There are about 200 Pittosporum species.

Synonyms

Pittosporum linifolium R. Cunn.Pittosporum ovatifolium F. Muell.Pittosporum queenslandicum Domin.

Also Known As

Akar belalang puak, Akar pulai puak, Chabek hantu, Hacchau set, Khuy-ao, Pokok kekialu pajan

References (17)

Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 464
Beasley, J., 2011, Plants of Tropical North Queensland - the compact guide. Footloose publications. p 29
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 806
Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 2 (I-Z) p 1794
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 402

Show all 17 references

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French, B.R., 2010, Food Plants of Solomon Islands. A Compendium. Food Plants International Inc. p 370
Hortus kew. ed. 2, 2:27. 1811
Jackes, B.R., 2001, Plants of the Tropics. Rainforest to Heath. An Identification Guide. James Cook University. p 73
Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 232
Menninger, E.A., 1977, Edible Nuts of the World. Horticultural Books. Florida p 120
Nicholson, N & H., 1994, Australian Rainforest Plants 4, Terania Rainforest Publishing. NSW. p 54
Peekel, P.G., 1984, (Translation E.E.Henty), Flora of the Bismarck Archipelago for Naturalists, Division of Botany, Lae, PNG. p 199, 200 ?
Pham-Hoang Ho, 1999, An Illustrated Flora of Vietnam. Nha Xuat Ban Tre. p 762
Scarth-Johnson, V., 2000, National Treasures. Flowering Plants of Cooktown and Northern Australia. Vera Scarth-Johnson Gallery Association. Cooktown, Australia. p 99
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 314
Townsend, K., 1999, Field Guide to Plants of the Dry Tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 130