Sweet Pittosporum

Pittosporum Undulatum

Origin: Australia - New South Wales, Victoria.

Alternative Name(s): Victorian box, Mock orange, Australian cheesewood, New Zealand daphne, Victorian laurel, Wild coffee

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.

Habitat: Sheltered situations and rainforests.

Edibility Rating: 0 (1-5)

Medicinal Rating: 0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics: A tall shrub or small tree growing to a height of 14m and a spread of 6m. It has shiny dark green paler beneath, oval leaves with wavy edges which give it its specific name.
Flowers: Creamy-white, sweetly scented flowers are followed by clusters of orange fleshy fruit about 13mm long. In flower from November to Genuary. The flowers are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies).