Pittosporum spinescens

Pittosporum spinescens
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Apiales
Family:	Pittosporaceae
Genus:	Pittosporum
Species:	P. spinescens
Binomial name
Pittosporum spinescens (F.Muell.) L.Cayzer, Crisp & I.Telford
Synonyms
Citriobatus spinescens Citriobatus multiflorus Citriobatus pauciflorus

Pittosporum spinescens is a shrub native to woodlands and dry rainforest of Northern and Eastern Australia and New Guinea. Growing to 7m tall with small leaves clustered on short branches that often terminate in a sharp point. The plant produced edible fruits, 2–3 cm in diameter. It is commonly known as Wallaby Apple, Orange Thorn or Thorn Orange. P. spinescens is very similar in appearance to the closely related Pittosporum multiflorum, but is readily distinguished by its entire leaf margins, in contrast to the toothed leaf margins of the latter.^[1][2]

Images

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  Pittosporum spinescens foliage illustrating the manner in which the smaller branches terminate in sharp points.

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  Pittosporum spinescens unripe fruit.

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  Pittosporum spinescens flowers.

References

1. Hyland, B. P. M.; Whiffin, T.; Zich, F. A.; et al. (Dec 2010). "Factsheet – Pittosporum spinescens" Check |url= value (help). Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants. Edition 6.1, online version [RFK 6.1]. Cairns, Australia: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), through its Division of Plant Industry; the Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research; the Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
2. "Citriobatus spinescens - Orange Thorn". San Marcos Growers (wholesale plant nursery). Retrieved 14 May 2013.