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Cheesewood
Pittosporum viridiflorum
SA tree no: 139
English: Cheesewood, Cape Cheesewood, White Cape Beech
Afrikaans: Bosbeukenhout, Bosboekenhout, Kaarsuur, Kasuur, Kersuurboom, Witboekenhout, Boskasuur, Bloukasuur
Xhosa: Umgqwengqwe, Umkhwenkwe
Zulu: Umfusamvu, Umphushamvu, Umphushane, Umvusamvu
N. Sotho: Kgalagangwe
S. Sotho: Mosetlela
Tsonga: Nkasur
Tswana: Mpustinya-poqo
Venda: Mulondwane, Mutanzwakhamelo
Historical scientific names: Pittosporum capense, Pittosporum malabaricum, Pittosporum abyssinicum var. angolense, Pittosporum antunesii, Pittosporum commutatum, Pittosporum floribundum, Pittosporum kruegeri, Pittosporum malosanum, Pittosporum quartinianum, Pittosporum sinense, Pittosporum viridiflorum subsp. malosanum, Pittosporum viridiflorum subsp. quartinianum, Pittosporum viridiflorum var. angolense, Pittosporum viridiflorum var. commutatum, Pittosporum viridiflorum var. kruegeri, Pittosporum vosseleri
Pittosporum viridiflorum, commonly known as Cheesewood or Kasuur, is a versatile indigenous evergreen shrub or small to medium-sized tree widely distributed across Southern Africa. It is highly valued for its attractive, glossy green foliage, fragrant greenish-yellow flowers, and decorative orange seeds encased in sticky red pulp. A hardy and adaptable species, Cheesewood is an excellent choice for a variety of garden uses, including screening, hedging, and as an attractive specimen tree, providing year-round interest and supporting local wildlife.
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Distinguishing features
An evergreen shrub or small to medium-sized tree with a dense, rounded crown.
Features glossy, bright green, leathery leaves that are clustered towards the ends of branches.
Produces small, intensely fragrant, greenish-yellow flowers in terminal clusters.
Fruits are distinctive woody capsules that split open to reveal bright orange seeds covered in a sticky red resin.
Has a smooth, greyish bark that may become flaky with age.
Overall appearance:
Pittosporum viridiflorum typically forms a dense, neat, and compact tree or large shrub with a rounded to conical shape. Its attractive glossy foliage provides a lush green backdrop, which is enhanced by the subtle fragrance of its flowers and the bright colours of its seeds.
Height:
Usually grows 3 to 10 metres tall as a tree, but can be kept smaller as a large shrub or hedge, typically 2–5 metres.
Width:
Forms a dense crown, usually 2–6 metres wide, depending on pruning and growing conditions.
Leaves:
Simple, alternate, but often appearing whorled or clustered at the ends of branches.
Shape is obovate (spoon-shaped) to elliptic, 3–10 cm long, with a rounded or notched apex.
They are thick, leathery, glossy dark green on the upper surface, paler beneath, and have entire (smooth) margins.
A distinctive feature is that when a leaf is torn, a fine 'spider web' of resin often becomes visible.
Flowers:
Small, inconspicuous but intensely fragrant, greenish-yellow to creamy-white.
Star-shaped, 5-petalled, borne in dense, terminal clusters (corymbs) at the ends of branches.
The fragrance is often described as resembling honey or orange blossoms, especially strong in the evening.
Flowering season:
Flowers mainly in spring, typically from September to November, with some variation depending on the region.
Fruits:
Woody, spherical to obovoid (egg-shaped) capsules, about 6–8 mm in diameter, often with a pointed tip.
They ripen from green to brownish-grey and split open into two valves to reveal 2–6 bright orange, ovoid seeds.
The seeds are covered in a sticky, bright red, resinous pulp, which is very noticeable.
Seeds:
Small, ovoid, bright orange, and coated in a sticky red resin. They are primarily dispersed by birds.
Bark:
Smooth and grey on younger trees, becoming darker, fissured, and sometimes flaky on older specimens. The bark can be used to distinguish it from the invasive Pittosporum undulatum.
Stems:
Slender, often upright stems, branching to form a dense crown. Young stems are smooth and brownish.
Wood:
The wood is hard, fine-grained, and yellowish-white. It is not typically used for commercial timber but can be used for smaller items.
Roots:
Possesses a non-invasive, fibrous root system, making it suitable for planting closer to structures compared to some other indigenous trees.
Soil type:
Adapts to a wide range of well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, and clay. Prefers humus-rich soil. It is relatively tolerant of poor soils but thrives in fertile conditions.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is moderately drought-tolerant once established and can withstand light to moderate frost, though severe frost may damage young plants or cause defoliation. It is also tolerant of coastal conditions and some wind.
Edibility:
Not considered edible for humans.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic to humans and animals. While some sources might mention slight irritation from the sticky seed coating, it is not listed as a poisonous plant.
Uses:
Ornamental Tree: An excellent garden subject due to its attractive foliage, fragrant flowers, and colourful seeds. Ideal as a specimen tree, screen, or informal hedge.
Hedge/Screening: Its dense growth habit makes it very effective for privacy screening and as a windbreak. It responds well to pruning, allowing for formal hedging.
Wildlife Garden: The fruits (seeds with sticky coating) are attractive to various bird species. The flowers attract bees and other insects.
Coastal Gardens: Well-suited for coastal planting due to its tolerance of salt spray and wind.
Street Tree: Its moderate size and non-aggressive roots make it a suitable street tree in urban environments where space permits.
Traditional Uses: Historically, parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicine, for example, the bark in remedies for stomach ailments.
Ecology:
Pollination: The fragrant flowers attract a variety of insects, including bees, which are important pollinators.
Seed Dispersal: The sticky, brightly coloured seeds are highly attractive to birds, which consume them and disperse the seeds (ornithochory).
Habitat: Provides cover and food in its natural bushveld, forest, and fynbos habitats.
Distribution and habitat:
Pittosporum viridiflorum is one of the most widespread indigenous trees in South Africa.
South African Provinces: Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Northern Cape, Western Cape. Also found in other parts of Southern and East Africa.
Habitat: Extremely adaptable, found in a wide range of habitats including coastal bush, evergreen forests, fynbos, grasslands, rocky hillsides, and riverine fringes. It often grows in sheltered spots but can also be found in more exposed areas.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Pittosporum is derived from the Greek words 'pitta' meaning "pitch" or "resin," and 'sporos' meaning "seed," referring to the sticky resin that coats the seeds.
The species epithet viridiflorum is Latin for "green-flowered," referring to the greenish-yellow colour of its flowers.
The common name "Cheesewood" is believed to refer to the yellowish wood, which resembles some types of cheese, or possibly the smell of the flowers. "Kasuur" is an Afrikaans name.
Historical aspects:
Pittosporum viridiflorum has been a familiar component of the Southern African landscape for centuries, valued for its shade, traditional uses, and role in ecosystems. Its adaptability and aesthetic qualities have made it a popular choice for indigenous landscaping. It is important to distinguish it from the closely related and often highly invasive alien species Pittosporum undulatum (Australian Cheesewood).
Interesting facts
This "Cheesewood" tree has a secret sticky surprise: its seeds are coated in a bright red, super-sticky resin, making them irresistible to birds who then help spread them far and wide!
Its small, unassuming greenish-yellow flowers might not look like much, but they release an incredibly sweet, honey-like fragrance that can perfume an entire garden, especially in the evening.
If you tear one of its leathery leaves, you might see fine, thread-like strands of resin stretching between the torn edges, a unique identifying feature!
Growing tips
Propagation: Can be propagated from fresh seed (clean off the sticky pulp before sowing) or from semi-hardwood cuttings taken in spring or autumn.
Planting: Plant in full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable to various soil types but thrives in well-drained, fertile soil with added compost.
Watering: Water regularly when young to establish. Once established, it is moderately drought-tolerant but performs best with occasional deep watering, especially during dry periods.
Frost: Tolerates light to moderate frost. Young plants may benefit from protection in severely frosty areas.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Can be pruned to shape, size, or to form a formal hedge. Pruning encourages denser growth. It is relatively slow-growing, especially when young.
Pests/Diseases: Generally robust and pest-free.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
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