Pittosporum ferrugineum

Pittosporum ferrugineum, commonly known as the rusty pittosporum or rusty-leaved pittosporum, is an evergreen plant in the family Pittosporaceae native to Malesia, Papuasia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Rusty pittosporum
Fruit
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Pittosporaceae
Genus: Pittosporum
Species:
P. ferrugineum
Binomial name
Pittosporum ferrugineum
Synonyms[3]
  • Itea javanica Blume
  • Pittosporum ferrugineum var. javanicum Boerl.
  • Pittosporum javanicum Blume
  • Pittosporum kusaiense Kaneh.
  • Pittosporum nativitatis Baker f.
  • Pittosporum ovatifolium F.Muell.
  • Pittosporum ponapense Kaneh.
  • Pittosporum rufescens Turcz.
  • Pittosporum versteeghii Merr. & L.M.Perry

Description

Pittosporum ferrugineum is a shrub or small tree growing to around 10 m (33 ft) high. The new growth (twigs, leaves and flowers) is densely covered in fine rusty-brown hairs − giving rise to the common name − but becoming less hairy as it matures. Leaves are dull green, elliptic to narrow-elliptic, 6–13 cm (2.4–5.1 in) long by 2–5 cm (0.79–1.97 in) wide, on a petiole 1.5–2.5 cm (0.59–0.98 in) long.[4][5]

The inflorescences are clusters of flowers about 4 cm (1.6 in) wide,[6] produced in the leaf axils at any time of the year. The fragrant flowers have five petals, measure about 10 mm (0.39 in) long and wide, and are white, cream or yellow in colour.[7]

The dull yellow or orange fruit is a dehiscent 2-valved capsule containing up to 16 small red seeds aggregated into a sticky ball.[4][5][7]

Taxonomy

This species was first described − albeit very briefly − and named in 1811 by the English botanist William Townsend Aiton in the book Hortus Kewensis.[8]

Subspecies

There are two subspecies of this taxon recognised by Plants of the World Online (POWO) − P.f. laxiflorum Schodde, and the autonym P.f. ferrugineum.[3] An additional subspecies is recognised by World Flora Online − P.f. linifolium (A.Cunn.) L.W.Cayzer, Crisp & I.Telford.[9]

Etymology

The species epithet ferrugineum is from the Latin ferrugineus, meaning "of the colour of rust", and was given to this species by Aiton in reference to the dense red-brown hairs on the plant.[7]

Distribution and habitat

The rusty-leaved pittosporum is found in Malesia, Papuasia and northern Australia, with records from Malaysia, Borneo, Sulawesi, the Philippines, the Caroline Islands, Java, Sumatra, Lesser Sunda Islands, the Maluku Islands, New Guinea, the Bismark Archipelago, the Solomon Islands, Christmas Island, the Northern Territory and Queensland. It has been introduced to Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Vietnam.[3][10]

This species is known to inhabit drier rainforest types such as monsoon forest, beach forest and the margins of mangrove forest.[4][6]

Ecology

The fruit of this species is eaten by metallic starlings (Aplonis metallica).[7] Flowers attract a variety of birds and butterflies.[6]

Conservation

This species is listed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science as least concern.[1] As of 21 February 2023, it has not been assessed by the IUCN.

  • An opened fruit showing seeds
    An opened fruit showing seeds
  • Shrub laden with fruit
    Shrub laden with fruit
  • Near Yeppoon, central Queensland
    Near Yeppoon, central Queensland
  • Close up of fruit
    Close up of fruit
  • Leaf, top side
    Leaf, top side
  • Leaf, underside
    Leaf, underside

References
  1. "Species profile—Pittosporum ferrugineum". Queensland Department of Environment and Science. Queensland Government. 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  2. "Pittosporum ferrugineum". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  3. "Pittosporum ferrugineum W.T.Aiton". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  4. F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Pittosporum ferrugineum". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  5. Cayzer, Lindy W. (2022). Makinson, R.O. (ed.). "Pittosporum ferrugineum". Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, the Environment and Water: Canberra. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  6. "Pittosporum ferrugineum W.T.Aiton". NParks Flora & Fauna Web. Singapore Government. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  7. Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 402. ISBN 9780958174213.
  8. Aiton, William Townsend (1811). Hortus kewensis, or, A catalogue of the plants cultivated in the Royal Botanic Garden at Kew (2 ed.). London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. pp. 27–28. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  9. "Pittosporum ferrugineum". World Flora Online. World Flora Online Consortium. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  10. "Pittosporum ferrugineum Dryand. ex Aiton". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
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