Sweet pittosporum

Sweet pittosporum is a shrub from Australia that grows up to three metres tall.

Description

• Leaves are 15x5cm with purple petioles (stalk that joins the leaf to the stem) and wavy margins.

• Flowers are white and very fragrant.

• Fruit is orange, two-valved with a groove, and 1.5cm in diameter.

• Seeds are dispersed by birds.

• Habitats include pasture, roadsides, coastal bluffs and cliffs, open scrubland, and forest.

What you need to know

Sweet pittosporum reduces native plant species richness and cover. It has the potential to impact genetic diversity of native Pittosporum spp. through hybridisation.

Management approach

Sweet pittosporum is declared an unwanted organism by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) because it is capable of causing harm to the natural environment, physical resources or human health in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

These species pose a high risk to our environment, economy, recreation, and cultural values.

Rules

Any species declared a pest cannot be sold or be in a place where plants are being sold. Pest plants cannot be propagated, bred, multiplied, communicated, released, caused to be released, or otherwise spread.

To help protect our environment:

Consider removing this invasive species from your property and consult your local council for appropriate disposal. Consider lower-risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.

Control

Site management

Follow up treated areas three times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.

Physical control

Dig out

Plant parts requiring disposal: seeds

Contact your local council for appropriate disposal locations

Chemical control

Cut plant close to the ground and immediately treat the stump with herbicide gel containing glyphosate.

Foliar spray with 20ml glyphosate plus 2ml penetrant per 1L of water.

Caution: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.