Pittosporum bicolor

Last updated

Pittosporum bicolor
P bicolor fruit.jpg
Pittosporum bicolor fruit
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Pittosporaceae
Genus: Pittosporum
Species:
P. bicolor
Binomial name
Pittosporum bicolor

Pittosporum bicolor, commonly known as cheesewood or banyalla, is a flowering shrub or small tree of the family Pittosporaceae, and is native to south eastern Australia.

Contents

It is common and widespread, growing as an understorey plant in temperate wet sclerophyll forests of south eastern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania. [1]

Taxonomy

Pittosporum bicolor was first described by William Jackson Hooker in 1834, in his paper Contributions Towards a Flora of Van Deimen's Land, which was published in the Journal of Botany 1 [2] .Pittosporum is a genus of about 200 flowering, ever-green plants in the family Pittosporaceae.

Description

Adaxial leaf surface of P. bicolor Adaxial leaf surface.jpg
Adaxial leaf surface of P. bicolor

Leaves are narrow, and vary in shape from being lanceolate to slightly ovate. [3] [4] They are typically 2–8 cm long and 5-18mm wide, margins are flat or distinctly recurved, with an obtuse to subacute apex. [3] They are alternately arranged along the stem, and, as the name suggests, are most distinct in the contrasting colours of the leaf surfaces. The adaxial surface being a glossy dark green colour, and the abaxial surface being light green to silver-grey in colour. The abaxial surface is heavily coated in fine white hairs, and occasionally the adaxial surface will also have a sparse coating of white hairs.

Abaxial leaf surface of P. bicolor Abaxial.jpg
Abaxial leaf surface of P. bicolor

Flowering occurs in spring. [3] The attractive flowers typically occur at the nodes, and may be solitary, terminal or occur in small groups. [3] The flowers are bell shaped, [4] and the perianth consists of 5 sepals, which are 5-6mm long [3] and slightly curve inwards at the apex, the lower surface is coated in fine white hairs. The 5 petals are 8-11mm long [3] and are significantly recurved. [4] The outside colour may vary from dark burgundy red to yellow, and is typically lighter on the inside. [3] [4] [5] Each flower typically houses 5 stamens and a single pistil, [5] the ovary is superior and heavily coated in fine hairs. [5] Each flower occurs on a long pedicel which is coated in fine hairs.

The fruit is a globose woody capsule, [3] it is covered in fine white hairs, and varies in colour from orange to brown as it matures. The mature capsule splits in half to expose rows of 8-20 red or orange sticky seeds. [3] [4] [5] Conspicuous dark valves can be seen on the inner face of the mature, open, capsule. [3]

The bark is grey to light brown in colour, and varies from a smooth and somewhat scaly in appearance lower down, to a rougher and papery appearance higher up.

This plant grows in a conical shape, and typically achieves 2–10 metres in height, [3] [4] but may occasionally exceed this.

Distribution and habitat

Figure 1: Distribution of P. bicolor across Australia. Mapofpbicolor.jpg
Figure 1: Distribution of P. bicolor across Australia.

Pittosporum bicolor occurs statewide across Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands. It is loosely restricted to the south easternmost parts of New South Wales and Victoria [1] (Figure 1).

It grows as a shrub or a small tree in gullies and the shrub understorey of wet sclerophyll forests, [3] [4] [5] and is therefore tolerant of shaded conditions. It prefers to grow in moist, well drained soils, [3] [4] and does not typically occur at altitudes greater than 1,000 metres above sea level. [3] [4]

It is not uncommon for Pittosporum bicolor to occur as an epiphyte on soft tree fern species, such as Dicksonia antarctica , [7] this is possibly an adaptation to avoid seedlings being consumed by browsing mammals. [7]

Pittosporum undulatum spp. emmetti is a hybrid species of P. bicolor and the introduced Pittosporum undulatum , [4] [8] the hybrid's physical appearance appears to be an intermediate between that of the two parent species. [9]

Cultivation

P. bicolor is a relatively inconspicuous plant, and is therefore not widely cultivated. However, its attractive and heavily perfumed flowers offer some appeal to gardeners.

It prefers a well draining soil, and will appreciate a sunny position, but will also thrive in a sheltered or shaded location. [10] While it can survive in dry soils, it prefers moist or damp soils, likened to that of its natural habitat. It can tolerate heavy pruning.

Propagation is done by seed or cuttings, the ripe seeds can be collected and directly planted, they will germinate freely. [10] Cuttings should be taken from semi hardwood, and should include a heal at the base of the cutting. [10] Propagation by seed is likely to be more successful than propagation by cuttings, however caution should be taken when planting seeds, due to members of this genus readily hybridising.

Related Research Articles

<i>Dicksonia antarctica</i> Species of fern

Dicksonia antarctica, the soft tree fern or man fern, is a species of evergreen tree fern native to eastern Australia, ranging from south-east Queensland, coastal New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittosporaceae</span> Family of flowering plants

Pittosporaceae is a family of flowering plants that consists of 200–240 species of trees, shrubs, and lianas in 9 genera. Habitats range from tropical to temperate climates of the Afrotropical, Indomalayan, Oceanian, and Australasian realms. The type genus is Pittosporum Banks ex Gaertn.

<i>Pittosporum</i> Genus of flowering plants

Pittosporum is a genus of about 200 species of flowering plants in the family Pittosporaceae. The genus is probably Gondwanan in origin; its present range extends from Australasia, Oceania, eastern Asia and some parts of Africa. Citriobatus can be included here, but might be a distinct genus. They are commonly known as pittosporums or, more ambiguously, cheesewoods.

<i>Hymenosporum</i> Genus of plant in the family Pittosporaceae

Hymenosporum is a monotypic genus in the family Pittosporaceae. The sole included species is Hymenosporum flavum, commonly known as native frangipani, which is a rainforest tree native to New Guinea, Queensland and New South Wales. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the frangipani, but is related to the widespread genus Pittosporum.

<i>Pittosporum undulatum</i> Australian tree

Pittosporum undulatum is a fast-growing tree in the family Pittosporaceae. It is sometimes also known as sweet pittosporum, native daphne, Australian cheesewood, Victorian box or mock orange.

<i>Frankenia pauciflora</i> Species of plant

Frankenia pauciflora, the common sea-heath or southern sea-heath, is an evergreen shrub native to southern Australia. It is part of the Frankenia genus of the Frankeniaceae family.

<i>Billardiera longiflora</i> Species of flowering plant

Billardiera longiflora, the purple apple-berry, is a small Australian vine found in cool, moist forests from southern New South Wales to Tasmania, where it is native. It was described by French botanist Jacques Labillardière in 1805. The slender leafed vine has greenish-yellow flowers and shiny purple fruit. The fruit is edible.

<i>Ozothamnus ferrugineus</i>

Ozothamnus ferrugineus, commonly known as tree everlasting, is a member of the genus Ozothamnus, of the Asteraceae family – one of the largest families of flowering plants in Australia. Native to the Australian states of New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, it forms an erect shrub or small tree between 2 and 3 metres in height.

<i>Leptospermum lanigerum</i> Species of shrub

Leptospermum lanigerum, commonly known as the woolly teatree, is a small tree or medium shrub from the plant family Myrtaceae. Its common name derives from the conspicuously hairy capsules produced as fruit, along with the fine, silky hairs present on branches and leaves. L. lanigerum is widespread in many habitats, particularly in waterlogged areas such as moist, sandy coastal heaths, on river banks, riparian scrub, woodlands and on the fringe of montane grasslands. This species is endemic to Australia, with native populations occurring in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria.

<i>Pittosporum multiflorum</i> Species of shrub

Pittosporum multiflorum, known as the orange thorn, is a shrub growing in eastern Australia. The dense foliage provides a habitat for small birds and animals. It grows on shales or volcanic soils, from Eden, New South Wales north to Queensland, usually in or near rainforest areas.

<i>Amperea xiphoclada</i> Species of plant

Ampera xiphloclada, commonly known as ‘broom spurge’, is a grass-like erect shrub in the Euphorbiaceae family.

<i>Pittosporum tobira</i> Species of flowering plant

Pittosporum tobira is a species of sweet-smelling flowering plant in the pittosporum family Pittosporaceae known by several common names, including Australian laurel, Japanese pittosporum, mock orange and Japanese cheesewood. It is native to Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea, but it is used throughout the world as an ornamental plant in landscaping and as cut foliage.

<i>Polystichum proliferum</i> Species of fern

Polystichum proliferum, commonly known as mother shield fern is an Australian endemic fern. The genus name Polystichum is derived from Greek poly - many, and stichos - rows referring to the many rows of sori. The species name is derived from Latin, Proli – offspring and fer - bearing referring to the proliferous buds, a prominent feature of the species.

<i>Pittosporum angustifolium</i> Species of plant

Pittosporum angustifolium is a shrub or small tree growing throughout inland Australia. Common names include weeping pittosporum, butterbush, cattle bush, native apricot, apricot tree, gumbi gumbi, cumby cumby, meemeei, poison berry bush, and berrigan.

Tasmania is home to 'Australia’s largest cool temperate rainforests. Most of Tasmania’s rainforests occur in the North-West and throughout the North East highlands. Cool temperate rainforests typically have a heavy rainfall, cool climate, favor high altitudes and have a limited availability of light.

<i>Pittosporum cornifolium</i> Species of flowering plant

Pittosporum cornifolium, known as tāwhiri karo in Māori, is a species of plant in the Pittosporaceae family. It is an epiphytic plant endemic to the North Island and the Marlborough Sounds of the South Island, New Zealand. In the wild it is considered rare and threatened, although it occurs more frequently on offshore islands in the north-east, along with P. kirkii, the only other epiphytic member of the genus. Also grows well as a ground plant and is a popular garden ornamental with two recognised cultivars.

<i>Pittosporum ferrugineum</i> Species of plant in the family Pittosporaceae

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.

<i>Leptecophylla oxycedrus</i> Australian shrub

Leptecophylla oxycedrus, commonly referred to as coastal pinkberry or crimson berry, is a medium shrub to large tree native to Tasmania and southern Victoria. It is part of the family Ericaceae and has narrow, pointed leaves, white flowers and pale pink fruits. It was previously classified as a subspecies of Leptecophylla juniperina but has since been raised to the specific level in 2017. The species was originally described in 1805 by Jacques Labillardière in Novae Hollandiae plantarum specimen which was published after his voyage through Oceania.

<i>Gonocarpus humilis</i>

Gonocarpus humilis, commonly known as shade raspwort, is a small herb in the genus Gonocarpus of the family Haloragaceae. Shade raspwort is common along the eastern coast of Australia, and grows in moist and shaded locations. The leaves have a rough and scabrous surface, giving the plant the common name raspwort.

References

  1. 1 2 "Pittosporum bicolor : Banyalla - Atlas of Living Australia". Bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  2. "Hooker, W.J. (ed.) (1834), Contributions Towards a Flora of Van Diemen's Land. The Journal of Botany 1". Biodiversity.org.au. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "PlantNET - FloraOnline". Plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Howells, Christine (2012). Tasmania's Natural Flora. Hobart: Australian Plants Society Tasmania Inc. p. 275. ISBN   9780909830663.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Key to Tasmanian Dicots". Utas.edu.au. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  6. "Pittosporum bicolor : Banyalla - Atlas of Living Australia". Bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
  7. 1 2 Lee Bowkett. "Epiphytic relations of the Soft Tree Fern Dicksonia antarctica Labill. and the vascular plant species utilising its caudex" (PDF). Eprints.utas.edu.au. Retrieved 2022-03-25.
  8. "Pittosporum bicolor x Pittosporum undulatum - Atlas of Living Australia". Bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
  9. "Factsheet - Pittosporum undulatum". Keyserver.lucidcentral.org. Archived from the original on 2015-10-01. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
  10. 1 2 3 "Pittosporum bicolor - Practical Plants". Practicalplants.org. Retrieved 2016-03-21.