Not a great picture, but what is is?

Bits and pieces by LoisJune 3, 2013June 3, 2013

We have a mysterious tree, with a smooth bark, evergreen shiny leaves, black flowers, yes black, with gold centres, and black berries. We don’t know what it is, anyone have any idea? It is extremely slow growing and very upright

7 Comments

Wendy Wright on June 4, 2013 at 9:51 pm
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Hi Lois
It is Pittosporum tenuifolium. Which is a shrub but becomes tall and skinny if it is searching for light..
Woo (can never resist questions like this!)

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1. Lois on June 4, 2013 at 10:21 pm
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  Oh thank you Wendy! We’ve been trying to find out for the past eleven years!
  
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  1. Wendy Wright on June 4, 2013 at 10:27 pm
    
    You are welcome 🙂
    
    Pittosporum are one of my favourite trees/shrubs. It is a huge genus with many different leaf colours, shapes, variegations and growth habits.
    
    http://www.plant-world-seeds.com/store/view_seed_item/1059
    
    I’ve got a couple in my own garden. Those shiny leaves are often salt tolerant, which is useful where we live!!!
    
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  2. Lois on June 4, 2013 at 10:37 pm
    
    We live by the sea too, so no wonder it likes us! Ours has a very smooth grey bark, is that common to all of them?
    
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  3. Lois on June 4, 2013 at 10:37 pm
    
    Oh, and thanks for the link too!
    
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  4. Wendy Wright on June 4, 2013 at 10:44 pm
    
    All sorts of different bark, although mainly quite smooth, and in many different colours. Add that to the huge variety in leaf shape and colour and there is a Pittosporum for every occasion.
    
    Assumed you lived by the sea because your last three books all involved sea, boatyards, etc.
    
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  5. Lois on June 4, 2013 at 11:14 pm
    
    Great detective work!
    
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