Pittosporum divaricatum Cockayne

Taxonomic Classification

Pittosporum divaricatum is a plant species belonging to the Pittosporaceae family.

Growth Habit and Size

This endemic New Zealand shrub grows to a maximum height of 3 metres.

It has densely tangled branches that grow in the divaricating growth form common to many small-leaved New Zealand shrubs.

Leaf Dimorphism

This species shows leaf dimorphism: leaf form differs between juvenile and mature life stages, and adult plants produce two distinct leaf forms.

Juvenile Leaf Characteristics

Juvenile leaves range from narrowly lanceolate to obovate in shape, with margins that are pinnatifid to dentate.

Adult Leaf Characteristics

Adult leaves occur in two forms: either entire or nearly entire, or deeply lobed or toothed.

Flower Arrangement

Flowers grow singly at the tips of shoots.

Petal Characteristics

Petals reach up to 5 millimetres in length, and are a very dark red that often looks black.

Sepal Characteristics

Flowers are subtended by sepals 2 millimetres long.

Seed Count

Fruits produced by this species contain between 2 and 6 seeds.