Botanical name:

Pittosporum umbellatum

Common name(s):

Haekaro

About:

P. umbellatum is a many-branched small tree that features both young branches and leaves covered with fine, delicate hairs. The leaves, when they reach maturity, display a thick and dark glossy green colour that adds to the tree's overall aesthetic appeal.

Natural habitat:

Coastal forest and scrub. Often on found on offshore islands and rock stacks. Occasionally in lowland forests.

Growing environment:

Sun, Salt, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s North Island from North Cape to about Waihi, Tuhua (Mayor Island). Also locally near East Cape and Gisborne.

Height: 6m

Flowering: 

August – October with a Cream or Red/Pink coloured flower/s

Fruiting:

Throughout the year in the form of a capsule that splits into 2 to show the sticky black seeds.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Riparian plantings.

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed. Can be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings. Seed germination is often variable and this species although easily grown by some can be difficult for others.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though