Pittosporum tenuifolium
Common name: 
Tawhiwhi
Kohuhu
Pronunciation: 
pi-TOS-po-rum ten-ew-i-FO-lee-um
Family: 
Rhamnaceae
Genus: 
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf evergreen shrub or tree to over 30 ft (~10 m) high, densely branched, slender stems which on young shoots are gray to nearly black.  Leaves alternate, simple, obovate to oblong or elliptic, 3-10 cm long, margins flat, revolute or undulated, glabrous (lacking hairs), dull glazed.  Flowers, usually in 2s, borne in leaf axils, purple-brown, honey-like fragrance,  Fruit green and finally black,10-12 mm wide, sphere-like, wrinkled at maturity, thin walls.
  • Sun to part shade.  Best in moist but well-drained fertile soil.  Tolerates maritime exposure
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 8   Native to New Zealand, and apparently has naturalized in parts of Australia and California.  Over 25 cultivars are offered in the nursery trade.  Here are two:
    • 'Marjorie Channon'  -  variegated shrub, compact, slow growing, leaves light green with rich cream colored margins
    • 'Silver Sheen'  -  shrub, densely branched, dark, very thin stems, small silvery-green leaves, flowers red, fragrant
  • tenuifolium: with thin leaves, tenui, thin; folium, leaves.
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