Australian Laurel – Pittosporum tobira, P. spp.

Common Name: Australian Laurel, Italian and New Zealand Pittosporum

Botanical Name: Pittosporum tobira, P. spp., pi-TOS-por-um to-BYE-ra

Decorative Life: 7-21 days.

Flower Color: White, Yellow

Availability: Year Round

Production under reduced light levels in Florida greatly improved plant color and grade while various fertilizer levels had fewer effects.

Store at 34-41 F, wet or dry. Maximum time is unknown but believed to be more than 1-2 weeks.

• From the Greek “pitta” (pitch) and “sporum” (seed), referring to the sticky covering on the seeds. “Tobira” is the Asian name for the species.
• For those Chain of Life Network Members wanting more detailed information about the florists’ greens industry, it is highly recommended that Robert Stamps’ article entitled Florists’ Botanicals (2001) be read.