Cheesewood

Cheesewood is a common name used for several evergreen plants in the Pittosporum genus, most notably Pittosporum tobira (Japanese cheesewood) and Pittosporum undulatum (Australian cheesewood). These species belong to the Pittosporaceae family and are valued in horticulture for their dense, ornamental foliage and fragrance. The term can also appear in horticultural literature as a general reference to the Pittosporum genus in regions where the plants are cultivated.

Description and characteristics

Cheesewood plants are evergreen shrubs or small trees with opposite, simple leaves that are glossy and typically oval to oblong. They often form dense, rounded to columnar crowns. Flowers are small, cup-shaped, and usually creamy or white, appearing in clusters and emitting a mild, pleasant fragrance. The fruit is a woody capsule that splits to reveal seeds coated with a sticky pulp, which aids in dispersal.

Distribution and habitat

Pittosporum tobira is native to southern Japan and parts of Korea, commonly grown as an ornamental in warm temperate regions and prized for its year-round foliage and scent. Pittosporum undulatum is native to eastern Australia and is also widely cultivated elsewhere, especially in coastal or temperate areas. Both species are popular in hedges, screens, and bank plantings, and many cultivars have been developed for varied leaf shape, size, and growth habit.

Uses and cultivation

Cheesewood is widely used in landscaping for its versatility, tolerance of pruning, and ability to thrive in sheltered coastal conditions. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil; it is relatively drought-tolerant once established but can be susceptible to frost in colder climates. The wood is not a major timber resource; the value is primarily decorative and horticultural.