Key to common Pittosporum with leaves more than 2.5cm. Not included are species with limited distribution.
Dichotomous keys
Each numbered step offers 2 descriptive choices. By carefully observing the plant you wish to identify select the best choice from the 2 descriptions given and proceed to whichever step is indicated until the species name is found. The species name includes a description of the plant and its distribution.
Hints: Have a piece of the plant in front of you. A branch with the fruit is ideal. A hand lens will also be helpful. If you think you know the name of the plant try working backwards through the key, checking the descriptions along the way.
Pittosporum: Trees or shrubs, leaves alternate or whorled. Flowers in fascicles, umbels or corymbs. Fruit a capsule holding many seeds surrounded by glutin.
1. Leaves whorled or sub whorled………………………………………………………….2
Leaves alternate 5
2. Leaves between 2.5- 6cm long…………………………………………………………..3
Leaves between 5-12 cm long …………………………………………………………..4
3. Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, in whorls of 3-5, Flowers red or yellow in 3-5’s on terminal umbels, capsule 1.5 cm. ovoid or obovoid 2-3 valves, orange within.North Cape to Marlborough Sounds, epiphytic or on rocks.…………….. Pittosporum cornifolium tawhirikaro
Leaves linear-lanceolate, alternate or in whorls. Flowers red- yellow stripes. 4-12 in terminal umbels. Capsule ovoid 2 valves 1-2 cm long. Northland……Pittosporum pimelioides
4. Leaves linear-obovate, glabrous, coriaceous, very thick, Flowers in terminal 3-10 flowered umbels, or solitary, yellow. Capsule up to 4cm long 2-3 valves, elliptic. Branches reddish-purple. Shrub to 4m. Hokianga to volcanic plateau……………………………………………….Pittosporum kirkii
Leaves obovate-oblong, coriaceous. Nerves raised on both surfaces. Flowers pink on many flowered terminal umbels. Capsules 1cm, 4 lobes, and 2 valves. East coast of Northland to Gisborne ………………………………………………Pittosporum umbellatum haekaro
5. Leaves alternate, glabrous beneath……………………………………………………….6
Leaves alternate, tomentose beneath…………………………………………………….9
6. Leaves thick………………………………………………………………………………..7
Leaves thin……………………………………………………………………………………..8
7. Shrub or small tree to 12m. Branchlets pubescent. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, dark green, alternate, Flowers axillary, solitary, purple. Capsule 12mm long 3 valves. Volcanic plateau to Stewart Island………………Pittosporum colensoi
Shrub or small tree to 8m. Branchlets and inflorescence with dense brown tomentum. Leaves elliptic-oblong, yellow- green above, reddish-yellow beneath. Flowers in umbels capsule 2cm 2 valves. Whangaroa to East Cape…………Pittosporum ellipticum
8. Tree to 13m. Leaves 5-10cm. long, oblong, margins undulate, light green, citrus scented when crushed, Flowers in terminal compound umbels, yellowish. Capsules 6mm. long 2-3 valves. North Cape to south Otago………………….Pittosporum eugenoides tarata
Shrub or small tree to 10m. Leaves 5-7cm. long elliptic- oblong. Flowers solitary or axillary cymes, purple-black. Capsule 1cm. 2-3 valves. North and South islands but absent on West coast………….Pittosporum tenuifolium Kohuhu
9 Shrub to 5m. Branchlets, leaf abaxial surface and inflorescence tomentose. Leaves 5-12 cm long oblong, coriaceous, and white tomentose below. Flowers dark red in 3-10 terminal umbels. Capsule 2cm. long 3 valves. East Cape, Hawkes Bay, Whanganui ………………………....Pittosporum ralphii
If you wish to learn more about native plants try one of these natural history books from fishpond
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