Pittosporum tobira

greenpittosporumfull
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

View the Location on Campus

Taxonomy (1,2)

Classification: Angiosperm, dicot
Family: Pittosporaceae
Common name: Green Pittosporum; Dwarf Pittosporum or Wheelers Dwarf (dwarf variety)
Varieties: nana

General Information (1)

Region of Origin: Japan, Formosa, the Ryukyus, Korea, and China
USDA Plants Hardiness Zones: 7-8
Growth Habit: Shrub

  • Size: 10-12 feet tall, 2-5 feet tall (Dwarf)
  • Deciduous/Evergreen: Evergreen
  • Flowering: April-May
  • Fruiting: September-October

Diagnostic Characteristics

Leaves (1)

  • Arrangement: Alternate
  • Simple/Compound: Simple
  • Shape: Obovate
  • Other: 1.5-4 inches long, 3/1-1.5 inches wide; 1-3 inches long (Dwarf); Leathery texture

greenpittosporumleaf
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

Stem/Bark

greenpittosporumstem
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

Flower (1)

  • Perfect/Imperfect: Perfect
  • Color: Cream-white to yellow
  • Size: 1/2 inch

greenpittosporumflower
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

Fruit (1)

  • Fruit type: Capsule
  • Color: Green to brown

greenpittosporumfruit
(Photo by Cole Wildes)

Horticultural Information (1,2)

  • Light: Full sun to heavy shade
  • Soil type: Sandy or clay
  • Maintenance: Easy to care for
  • Landscape Uses: Barrier, buffer, mass planting, foundation, drifts, container

Interesting Facts (1)

  • Tolerates salt spray

Variegated coloring seen on Campus

pittosporumvariegatedfullpittosporumvariegatedleaf

(Photos by Jessica Bartek)

References

1) Dirr, M. A. (1977). Manual of woody landscape plants: Their identification, ornamental characters, culture, propagation and uses (2d. ed.). Champaign, Ill.: Stipes Publishing Co..
2) Odenwald, N., & Pope, T. (n.d.). Online Plant Guide - Pittosporum tobira 'Nana' / Dwarf Pittosporum. OnlinePlantGuide.com - Plant Information and Pictures. Retrieved April 3, 2013, from http://www.onlineplantguide.com/Plant-Details/2024/

Prepared by Cole Wildes as a course requirement for BIOL 3630/5630, Spring 2013
Edited by Jessica Bartek