| Orange Thorn | |
|---|---|
| Orange Thorn at Eastwood, Australia | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Pittosporaceae |
| Genus: | Pittosporum |
| Species: | P. multiflorum |
| Binomial name | |
| Pittosporum multiflorum (A.Cunn. ex Loudon) L.W.Cayzer et al. |
|
| Synonyms | |
Pittosporum multiflorum, known as the Orange Thorn, is a shrub growing in eastern Australia. The dense foliage provides a habitat for small birds and animals. It grows on shales or volcanic soils, from Eden, New South Wales north to Queensland. Usually in or near rainforest areas.
Orange Thorn grows from one to three metres in height. Thickly branched with small spines. Leaves almost circular, 3 to 12 mm long, practically without leaf stalks. Mostly toothed, through rarely entire. Flowering occurs in spring or summer. The orange fruit often persists on the plant. Regeneration from fresh seed is slow but fairly reliable. The plant is very similar to the closely related Pittosporum spinescens, but is readily distinguished by its toothed leaf margins.