pittosporum

noun

pit·​tos·​po·​rum pə-ˈtä-spə-rəm 

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

Examples of pittosporum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unlike other forms of pittosporum that get huge, Mojo reaches only 3 feet tall and wide—perfect for planting under windows. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2025

The wreath includes white roses, spray white roses, white dahlias as well as foliage including pine from the gardens of Balmoral and pittosporum, lavender and rosemary from the gardens at Windsor. — Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 16 Sep. 2022

Wood-and-glass doors from the ’50s open onto the long roof, which is planted with small cherry trees, clematis and flowering shrubs including nandina and pittosporum. — New York Times, 22 Sep. 2021

That’s the Victorian box tree, pittosporum, popularized a hundred years ago. — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2021

For a recap of the freeze damage, Texas lost large numbers of pittosporum, loropetalum, ligustrum, loquat, Chinese tallow and Arizona ash. — Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 21 June 2021

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above