Re: Mysteries

Tim Longville wrote:
> 
> First the mystery of my own making. Apologies for having created
> confusion. Fatsia japonica is what I meant. 'Rubber plant' is what it
> and lots of other not-at-all-related plants are often popularly called
> around here - this may be regional rather than national, even - ie,
> confined to the daftnesses of Cumbria. Another example of the dangers
> of confusion with popular names!

> While I'm writing, can I throw a few more
> barely-if-at-all-Mediterranean mysteries into the ring? Grateful for
> anyone's experience of growing any or all of them.
 
 Pittosporum rhombifolium. I don't even know where this one comes
> from! Australia?? I got given a plant by a friend who'd got given
> several - but no info. - by a visiting horticultural superstar (the
> sort who teasingly assumes that everyone else knows as much as he
> does). Leaves handsome - but plant looks sick - and that's in what we
> laughingly call high summer. Anyone know or grow it and have any
> notions of my chances?
 
 Tim 

Pittosporum rhombifolium
(Queensland or Australian Laurel) -Queensland and NSW, but planted in
most states, even Tasmania.

Can reach 24 metres (80ft), but more like 8 metres in cultivation,
slow-growing when young.. Springtime clusters of starry creamy-white
flowers are followed in autumn and winter by masses of bright orange
fruit, 1/2" (3cm)  across which split open when ripe to reveal shiny
black seeds.

Upward-sweeping branches form a dense pyramidal crown. Rhomboidal leaves
4" (10cm) long are are toothed, leathery and shiny green.

Prefers loamy to heavy soil and plenty of moisture with good drainage in
a frost-free climate (but will apparently tolerate moderate frosts if it
has to) Zones 9-11.

My guess is that (Oz summers being much like American ones) your plant
is  just wondering when summer is going to start!!

Moira

Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, 
New Zealand (astride the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
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