Common Name:

General Information

Pittosporum pullifolium is an evergreen shrub or small tree, often hemi-epiphytic at lower elevations, usually growing up to 5 metres tall but occasionally reaching 15 - 20 metres and exceptionally to 36 metres[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a dye.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australasia - New Guinea.

Habitat

Common in subalpine forests at elevations from 3,200 - 3,800 metres, sometimes in rain forests or mossy forests at lower elevations from 1,200 - 2,100 metres, rarely descending to 100 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	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

None known

Other Uses

A dye is obtained from the seed[]. The seeds are coated by a resinous, viscid, dark reddish fluid[].

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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