Pittosporum bicolor
Banyalla
Rounded to upright dense shrub or small tree with downy branchlets.
Additional information
- FamilyPittosporaceae
- StoreyMiddle storey
- Size3-10 m x 2-4 m
- Plant groupingTrees 3-25 m
- LeavesDark green oblong to narrowly elliptic leaves, downy greyish below, 2-9 cm x 4-18 mm.
- Flower colourYellow and maroon
- Flowering timeSeptember to November
- FlowersSingle bell-shaped flowers, maroon markings on the outside, on drooping stalks in leaf axils. Dark grey capsule opens to show dark inner surface and red seeds.
- Bird attractingSeeds, insects
- Butterfly attractingNo
- Frog habitatNo
- Growing conditionsMoist, well drained acidic soils of mountain forests and fern gullies. Light frost and snow tolerant. Dappled and full shade. Seeds often germinate on tree fern trunks.
- Garden useSlow growing screening plant for moist sheltered positions. Can be hedged.
- Commercially availableAustralian plant & indigenous nurseries
- Conservation statusLocally common within its preferred growing conditions
- Related speciesA related species, Pittosporum undulatum, is local to East Gippsland and is a major environmental weed within the Shire. It has broader, shiny aromatic leaves with wavy edges and highly perfumed cream flowers followed by orange fruit and brownish-red seeds. Plants can be either bisexual or unisexual. Hybrids between the 2 species, incorrectly referred to as P. undulatum ssp. *emmettii, have also been observed within the Shire, especially in the Dandenongs. Their leaves are downy below, flowers are like P. undulatum, and fruit has orange seeds.
Photo Gallery
Photographer/s: 1, 3, 4 Marilyn Bull ©; 2 Chris Clarke, NatureShare ©
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