Pittosporum phillyreoides

Pittosporum phillyreoides, with the common names weeping pittosporum and willow pittosporum, is a shrub or small columnar tree in the Apiales order, endemic to Australia.

Description

A small tree. It grows 4-8 m high. It spreads 2-5 m across. The branches hang down in a weeping fashion. They can droop to near ground level. The bark is pale grey and fairly smooth. The leaves are narrow. They are 5-10 cm long and bright green. They are 6-10 mm wide. They have a smooth, hooked point. The flowers are creamy-yellow. They are small and bell shaped. They occur in masses. They have a perfume. The fruit are orange berries. They split open when ripe to reveal deep red, sticky seeds.

Edible Uses

The seed is dried and ground into a powder; it is very bitter. The plant also produces a good edible gum that oozes from wounded branches.

Traditional Uses

The seeds are pounded to flour for food.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

The plant is antispasmodic, antipruritic and galactogogue. It is used in the treatment of eczema, pruritis and colds.

Known Hazards

This plant contains 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 grows in warm temperate regions but will also grow in arid and semi-arid places. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It can stand heavy frosts. In the Inland Botanical Gardens Mildura.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Requires a well-drained light loamy soil, succeeding in very dry soils. Requires a sunny position. Plants tolerate much wetter conditions in cultivation than they experience in their native habitat. Not very hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c. Plants succeed outdoors in Cornwall though they need greenhouse protection in other parts of the country. A slow growing plant. 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

The plant contains saponins that have potential use as a soap or as a bird repellent. Because of their bitterness, they can be sprayed over plants to deter birds from feeding on them; the saponins are easily removed by washing or rain. The wood is close-grained and very hard, used for turnery and cabinet making.

Notes

There are about 200 Pittosporum species. It is regarded as medicine.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Gumbi gumbi, Guwiirra, Miyaymiyaay

References (30)

• Alice, L. & O'Quinn, T., Australian Bush Superfoods. Explore Australia p 62 (As Pittosporum angustifolium)
• Bindon, P., 1996, Useful Bush Plants. Western Australian Museum. p 200
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 806
• Boomsma, C.D., 1972, Native Tree of South Australia. Woods & Forests Department South Australia, Bulletin No.19. p 211
• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 806

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