Orange-thorn, Native orange, Wallaby apple, Large-fruited orange thorn
Pittosporum spinescens

Family: Pittosporaceae

What it is like

A medium sized shrub. It grows 2-5 m tall and spreads 1-1.5 m wide. The branches are hairy and have thorns. The leaves are oval and green and shiny. The leaves can have lobes and be feather like. They are 1-3 cm long. The flowers are white and about 0.6 cm across. They occur singly in the axils of leaves. The fruit are berries. They are orange and have a thick skin. They are 1.5-2.5 cm across. The seeds are small and in a sticky pulp.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows near rivers and the coast. It grows from sea level to 1,200 m above sea level. It grows as an understorey plant on alluvial soils. It is best in a rich well-composted soil. It is resistant to frost but damaged by drought. It grows in moist scrubs in Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. Geelong Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fruit are not attractive.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seeds or from tip cuttings. It can be used as a hedge.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Citriobatus spinescens (F. Muell.) Druce; Citriobatus megacarpus F. Muell.; Citriobatus pauciflorus var. kennyi F. M. Bailey; Ixiosporum spinescens F. Muell.;