A highly polymorphic species, which accounts for the large number of synonyms[].

Common Name: Cape Pittosporum

General Information

Pittosporum viridiflorum is an evergreen plant, varying widely in size from a shrub about 4 metres tall to a large forest tree up to 30 metres tall, with a bole up to 50cm[, ].
The tree has local medicinal uses, yields a dye and a useful wood. It is sometimes grown as a hedge. With its sweetly fragrant flowers and shiny, orange-red seeds, it is often grown as an ornamental plant in gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa, mainly in the east from S. Africa to Ethiopia, but also in the west; Yemen and India.

Habitat

Drier types of forest and evergreen bushland; rain-forest; farmland derived from these vegetation types; bamboo forest; degraded Juniperus procera forest; riverine and swamp forest, humid woodland; sometimes rocky outcrops; 650 - 2,600 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants can tolerate some frost[].
Succeeds in full sun or semi-shade[]. Prefers a well-drained, reasonably moist soil, though it can tolerate some drought[].
The plant has escaped from cultivation and become established in areas outside its native range - it has the potential to become a weed[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is a bitter emetic and febrifuge[].
The stem bark, which has a bitter taste and strong resinous or liquorice smell, is used medicinally[]. Decoctions or infusions are widely used to treat stomach complaints, abdominal pain and fever[, ]. The roasted bark of young trees is used in the treatment of dysentery[]. It is said to ease pain and have a calming effect[].
The dried, powdered root or bark is sometimes added to beer as an aphrodisiac[].
The bark is used as a medicine for anaemia and for preventing abortion in young women[]..

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be pruned and grown as a hedge[].

Other Uses

The bark yields a red dye[].

The root fibre is used in basketry[].

The plant is rich in saponins and has been used as a soap substitute[].

The soft, white wood is little used, but has been utilized for kitchen furniture and shelving[]. It is used for tool handles, spoons and clogs[].
The wood is used as a fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - easily grown from seed[]. Unparasitized seed has a germination percentage of 80 - 90%. Sow seeds in trays in a mixture of river sand and compost; cover lightly with fine compost and keep moist[]. Seeds should germinate in 8 - 12 weeks and the fast growing seedlings should be bagged up when they have two leaves[].
Softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings[]. Transplants easily[].

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