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Pittosporum revolutum
rough-fruited pittosporum
Overview
Pittosporum revolutum is an erect shrub growing 1-4 m (3-13 ft) tall, with leaves clustered toward the ends of the branches. The elliptic to oblong leaves are 5-14 cm (2-5.5 in) long, dark green and glossy above and clothed in rusty hairs beneath when young, with margins that are often rolled under. Clusters of tubular yellow flowers about 1.2 cm (0.5 in) long open in spring and carry a sweet scent. The fruit is a woody capsule 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) across with a warty, rough orange surface; at maturity it splits into segments to expose numerous sticky, bright orange-red seeds set in a viscous coating. The seeds stay attached for weeks and draw fruit-eating birds. The species grows on rainforest margins, in wet and dry sclerophyll forest, and in coastal scrub across a range of soils. Limitation: the open woody capsules persist and can litter the ground beneath the shrub, and growth is slow in dry positions.
Native Range
Eastern Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales to Victoria. It grows on rainforest margins, in eucalypt forest, and in coastal scrub, from the coast to the ranges.Suggested Uses
Grown in native, woodland, and coastal gardens as a screening or understorey shrub and in habitat plantings for fruit-eating birds. It suits shaded and part-shaded positions.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 13'
Width/Spread3' - 8'
Bloom Information
Tubular yellow flowers open in spring, mainly September to November, in clusters at the branch ends. The flowers are sweetly scented, with the scent strongest in the evening. Capsules develop through summer and split open in autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-7 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in moist, well-drained soils in part shade to full sun and tolerates soils from sandy to clay loam, along with coastal exposure. Established plants tolerate moderate drought, though water during extended dry periods supports steady growth. It is hardy to light frost once established, while young plants are more frost-sensitive. The species is slow-growing and long-lived, needing little routine care. It responds to pruning with bushier growth.Pruning
Plants tolerate pruning after flowering or after fruiting to keep shape and density, and reshoot from older wood. Spent capsules can be removed to reduce litter beneath the shrub.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons