About Pittosporum divaricatum Cockayne
Pittosporum divaricatum is a plant species belonging to the Pittosporaceae family. This endemic New Zealand shrub grows to a maximum height of 3 metres. It has densely tangled branches that grow in the divaricating growth form common to many small-leaved New Zealand shrubs. This species shows leaf dimorphism: leaf form differs between juvenile and mature life stages, and adult plants produce two distinct leaf forms. Juvenile leaves range from narrowly lanceolate to obovate in shape, with margins that are pinnatifid to dentate. Adult leaves occur in two forms: either entire or nearly entire, or deeply lobed or toothed. Flowers grow singly at the tips of shoots. Petals reach up to 5 millimetres in length, and are a very dark red that often looks black. Flowers are subtended by sepals 2 millimetres long. Fruits produced by this species contain between 2 and 6 seeds.
