Pittosporum

views updated May 29 2018

Pittosporum (parchment bark, Australian laurel; family Pittosporaceae) A genus of evergreen shrubs and small trees that have leathery, entire leaves without stipules. The flowers are bisexual, regular, terminal, axillary or lateral, and in 5 parts. Both the sepals and petals are united at the base. The stamens are attached to the calyx. The ovary is superior, with 2 or more fused carpels, single or multilocular, and has a simple style. The fruit is a leathery capsule with numerous seeds which are sometimes sticky. Several species give valuable timber, and many are cultivated as ornamentals, with coloured, fragrant flowers, and attractive foliage. There are about 200 species, found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, and Australasia and the Pacific.

About this article

Pittosporum

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic