The macerated leaves and fruit have been used as a fish poison to stun the fish and make them easy to catch[].

Common Name:

General Information

Pittosporum ferrugineum is an evergreen shrub or tree that can vary considerably in size. Sometimes a shrub no more than 1.5 metres tall, it is more commonly found within the range 3 - 15 metres and can sometimes even attain 22 metres. The bole seldom exceeds 30cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. This small tree has potential in horticulture and is noted for ease of culture, the masses of small white flowers and the yellow fruits[].

Known Hazards

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

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaya, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, northern Australia to the Solomon Islands

Habitat

Edges of swamps, rocks, etc along the seashore; along rivers; in dry bushes; on steppes; in open savannah land; sometimes as undergrowth in rain-forests or secondary forests; at elevations up to 1,800 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pittosporum species generally grow best in a sunny position, but tolerate light shade. They succeed in most well-drained soils[, ].
Although flowers usually appear to be hermaphrodite, many species of Pittosporum are functionally dioecious, with individual specimens bearing mainly or totally flowers of one sex only. Even so, occasional functionally hermaphrodite flowers will appear and, in at least some species, these flowers can be self-compatible and produce fertile seed even in the absence of any other plants of that species[].
The species in this genus are also 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.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is used as an antidote to poison. It is shredded, baked in bamboo and then eaten with traditional ash salt and green vegetables. This enables the victim to vomit poison[].
The root bark is pressed into the cavity of an aching tooth in order to bring temporary relief[].
A mixture of the chewed bark and traditional ash salt is dripped into the nose to treat an enlarged spleen caused by malaria and to treat stomach ache[].

The leaves and roots are applied as poultices in the treatment of malaria[].

Other Uses

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

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[].

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