Common names: Cheesewood, White Cape Beech
Full Sun / Semi Shade / Low Watering / Evergreen
Pittosporum is a genus of about 200 species of flowering plants which range extends from Australasia, Oceania, eastern Asia and some parts of Africa. They are commonly known as pittosporums or cheesewoods and the species are evergreen trees and shrubs which vary in height and spread. The flowers are fragrant and range in colour from white to creamy yellow or dark red to purple; and the leaves are strongly scented if crushed. The flowers are followed by woody capsules containing the sticky seeds that give the genus its Latin name 'Pittosporum', meaning 'pitch seed'. A resin from Pittosporum eugenioides is obtained by cutting or bruising the bark and is used as a chewing gum, hair oil, in pot pourri and to treat halitosis.