This is a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs native to Asia, a few South Pacific Islands and Australia. Some are used in California, Florida and the Gulf states as hedges and windbreaks. One variety is grown in greenhouses for its thick, leathery foliage. Small purple, red or yellow flowers are fragrant in some species. The trees are propagated by seed, greenwood cuttings and grafting.
Karo ( Pittosporum crassifolium) is used as a windbreak in California. It is a shrub or small tree, growing to 30 feet tall in New Zealand. Leathery leaves measure three inches long, and the red or purple flowers hang in terminal clusters. Tawhiwhi (P. tenuifolium) is a dense tree good for screening because it will stand close clipping. It is also called kohuhu and black mapau.
Japanese pittosporum (P. Tobira) is the species used for greenhouse culture. It has yellow white fragrant flowers in terminal clusters. It is also used in warm climates as a hedge shrub.
Victorian box (P. undulatum) is used as an avenue tree in Southern California, and is also planted for its fragrant flowers. The tree grows to 40 feet, and the leaves measure six inches in length.
Queensland pittosporum (P. rhombifolium) is also grown as an avenue tree, and has yellow orange fruits which remain decorative for a long period. It grows to 80 feet, has leaves about four inches long, and white flowers.
Tarata (P. eugenioides) is used in clipped hedges and for ornamental plantings in California. It is a tall slender tree.