Download Sweet Pittosporum Fact Sheet

Sweet Pittosporum Pittosporum undulatum
Environmental Weed Factsheet
Origin: East Gippsland, NSW & QLD
Size: 4-15m H, 4-7m W
Fruit: April to August
Flowers: August to November
Removal time: Late Winter to Summer
What it does…
Sweet Pittosporum has a dense canopy that shades the
ground and drops lots of leaves. A chemical inhibitor
in the leaves prevents indigenous plants from growing
beneath. It has contributed to changes in lizard and
bird populations by reducing habitat for these species.
It is also fire sensitive and the leaves are very flammable.
Sweet Pittosporum establishes very quickly and starves
surrounding plants of nutrients, water and sunlight.
What it looks like…
Leaves usually sit horizontally. Leaves are aromatic,
glossy dark green and paler underneath with an
undulating edge. Flowers are creamy-white and bell
shaped with a sweet fragrance. The fruit are hard
berries or capsules, green turning orange when ripe in
autumn and winter. When they split they expose 20-30
sticky orange-red seeds.
How it spreads…
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by birds, possums and occasionally by foxes.
by dumping garden waste and contaminated soil.
How to remove it...
Remove by Hand: Hand removal is only
recommended for very small plants, ensure
the root system is removed and the disturbed
area is covered over with mulch to reduce
spread of other weeds.
Cut & Paint: Cut plants off at ground level
and immediately paint the stump with an
undiluted glyphosate based product. This is
useful for larger seedlings that are too hard
to hand pull but should not be attempted on
trees with trunks greater than 50 mm as they
are likely to resprout.
Drill & Fill: Drill holes 2-3 cm deep and
about 5 cm apart, at the base of the trunk.
Fill the hole immediately with an undiluted
glyphosate-based product. This technique
should be used for plants greater than 50
mm in diameter. Best done in active growth
stage which is late spring and mid autumn.
Preference should be given to female plants.
Indigenous alternatives to plant…
Many alternatives indigenous to the Yarra Ranges region are available and would make great substitutes
for Sweet Pittosporum. Some alternatives include:
Southern Sassafras,
Atherosperma moschatum
Banyalla,
Pittosporum bicolor
How to dispose of weeds:
Using Chemicals:
By disposing of environmental weeds correctly you can
prevent re-infestation on your property and elsewhere.
Non chemical treatments is often the most effective and
safe option especially on smaller scale infestations.
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Where chemical use is undertaken:
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Landfill (Weed Wipeout Tip vouchers available for
some species).
Green waste bin ensures that weeds are not able
to spread.
Woody weed stems can be bundled for green
collection twice per annum.
Composting (excluding seed heads or species with
vegetative reproduction, e.g. Wandering Trad).
Burning in accordance with Council and the
Country Fire Authority (CFA) prescribed burning
periods and regulations.
Recovery and transfer stations available for weed
tipping are Healesville, Wesburn, Coldstream,
Lysterfield and Montrose.
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Bare ground attracts WEEDS!!!
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Always follow the manufacture’s guidelines when
using chemicals.
Wear protective clothing and eyewear
On purchasing your herbicide, always ask for a
Materials Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or refer to
the manufacturer’s website for specific safety
guidelines and information.
Some herbicides will kill other plants and not just
the target species.
Near waterways herbicides can be very poisonous
to aquatic life.
Use chemicals sparingly and be sure that you are
using the right chemical and application technique.
Ensure the weather conditions are suitable (e.g.
minimal wind and no rain expected)
Apply herbicides at the correct time during the
plant’s growth cycle so you get the best results..
For effective long term weed control we
recommend:
• Habitat Restoration
- Encourages indigenous and native plant to regenerate
- Revegetation - replanting indigenous vegetation
• Productive land use.
• Replace with non invasive garden species.