pittosporum

pit·tos·po·rum

noun \pə-ˈtäs-pə-rəm\

Definition of PITTOSPORUM

: any of various Old World shrubs or trees (genus Pittosporum of the family Pittosporaceae) planted especially as ornamentals in warm regions

Origin of PITTOSPORUM

New Latin, from Greek pitta, pissa pitch + spora seed — more at pitch, spore

First Known Use: 1789

pittosporum

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of various evergreen shrubs or trees, mainly from Australia and New Zealand, that make up the genus Pittosporum (family Pittosporaceae), commonly known as Australian laurel. They are planted especially as ornamentals in warm regions. The most popular and hardiest species, called tobira, or house-blooming mock orange (P. tobira), is native to China and Japan; it is a popular fragrant hedge plant in warm climates and a handsome indoor plant elsewhere.