Rhytidosporum spp.

Marianth

Pittosporaceae Eastern and southeastern Australia

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Rhytidosporum spp. is a small genus of evergreen shrubs in the family Pittosporaceae, endemic to eastern and southeastern Australia. The genus contains roughly three to four species, typically low, wiry, much-branched shrubs 8 in to 3 ft (20-90 cm) tall that grow in heathland, dry forest, and rocky understorey. The narrow leaves are 0.2-1 in (5-25 mm) long, alternate or clustered, with smooth or slightly toothed margins and a leathery texture. Small five-petalled white to cream flowers, each about 0.2-0.4 in (5-10 mm) across, open in spring, singly or in few-flowered clusters at the branch tips. These are followed by small two-valved capsules holding several seeds with a sticky coat typical of the family. Species grow on free-draining, often nutrient-poor sandy or rocky soils and tolerate seasonal dryness once established, but they are slow to recover from prolonged waterlogging. R. procumbens is the most widespread member, forming low spreading mounds in open woodland.

Native Range

Rhytidosporum spp. is endemic to eastern and southeastern Australia, including New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, and parts of Queensland. Species grow in heath, dry sclerophyll forest, and rocky slopes on poor, free-draining soils.

Suggested Uses

Used in native, rockery, and low-water gardens as a small evergreen filler, and in coastal and bushland-style plantings on poor soils. Low forms such as R. procumbens suit groundcover and embankment plantings.

How to Identify

Low, wiry, much-branched evergreen shrubs with small leathery leaves crowded along the stems. The white to cream five-petalled spring flowers are small and star-shaped, opening at the branch tips. Two-valved capsules with sticky-coated seeds confirm placement in the Pittosporaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8" - 3'

Width/Spread1' - 4'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring

Flowering occurs mainly in spring, from about September to November in the native range, with scattered later flowers in some seasons. The small white to cream flowers are held at the stem tips and are followed by dry capsules that split to release the seeds.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white to cream

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Rhytidosporum spp. grows in full sun to light shade on sharply drained sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils of low fertility. A soil pH of about 5.0-6.5 suits the genus, which is adapted to lean, acidic ground. Established plants tolerate summer dryness and light frost but fail on heavy, wet soils where the roots stay saturated. Like many Australian natives the genus is phosphorus-sensitive and performs poorly with high-phosphorus fertilisers. Watering is needed only during establishment and in extended drought.

Pruning

A light trim after flowering keeps plants compact and encourages branching. Old or straggly stems are cut back to within the foliage, as the genus reshoots from younger wood rather than from bare old stems.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer