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(Pittosporum tenuifolium)
Tawhiwhi (Pittosporum tenuifolium)
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chuck b.
CC BY 2.0
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chuck b.
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CC BY 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: chuck b. | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: chuck b. | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Pittosporum tenuifolium, commonly known as Tawhiwhi or Kohuhu, is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand’s forests, particularly found in lowland and montane regions. It typically grows to a height of 8–10 meters. The tree features small, dark reddish-purple flowers that are often overlooked due to their size and color, but they emit a honey-scented fragrance at night, attracting moths and other nocturnal insects for pollination. The slender trunk, with a diameter of 30–40 cm, has a mottled dark grey bark that darkens towards the branch tips. The foliage varies in cultivated forms, with options including purple, silver, and variegated leaves.
Kohuhu is valued for its attractive foliage and its adaptability to challenging horticultural conditions, such as dry soils and shaded areas. It is widely used as a hedge or visual backdrop in gardens. The cultivar ’Nigricans’ is notable for its black stems. While it can tolerate shade, it thrives best in full sun with low to medium water requirements and soils with slow to medium drainage. However, gardeners should be cautious as Pittosporum tenuifolium can be invasive outside its native range, including in parts of New Zealand and California.CC BY-SA 4.0
Kohuhu is valued for its attractive foliage and its adaptability to challenging horticultural conditions, such as dry soils and shaded areas. It is widely used as a hedge or visual backdrop in gardens. The cultivar ’Nigricans’ is notable for its black stems. While it can tolerate shade, it thrives best in full sun with low to medium water requirements and soils with slow to medium drainage. However, gardeners should be cautious as Pittosporum tenuifolium can be invasive outside its native range, including in parts of New Zealand and California.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Tree, Shrub
- Height: 2-3 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Slow, Medium
Common Uses
Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Border Plant, Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Hedges, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Native to New Zealand’s lowland and montane forests
Other Names
Common Names: Kohuhu, Black Matipo, Schmalblättriger Klebsame, Thin Leaved Pittosporum
Scientific Names: , Pittosporum tenuifolium, Pittosporum nigricans, Pittosporum mayi, Pittosporum tenuifolium subsp. tenuifolium, Pittosporum fasciculatum, Pittosporum viride, Pittosporum enderi, Pittosporum tenuifolium var. fasciculatum, Pittosporum bidwillianum
GBIF Accepted Name: Pittosporum tenuifolium Gaertn.