Pittosporum angustifolium

{{Short description|Species of plant}} {{Italic title}} {{use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} {{use Australian English|date=May 2022}} {{Speciesbox | name = Weeping pittosporum | image = Pittosporum phillyreoides (P. angustifolium).jpg | image_caption = | genus =Pittosporum | species = angustifolium | authority = Lodd., G.Lodd. & W.Lodd.<ref name="APC">{{cite web |title=''Pittosporum angustifolium'' |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/apc-format/display/99376 |publisher=Australian Plant Census |access-date=23 December 2024}}</ref> | synonyms_ref = <ref name="APC" /> | synonyms = {{Collapsible list| * ''Pittosporum acacioides'' A.Cunn. * ''Pittosporum lanceolatum'' A.Cunn. nom. inval., nom. nud. * ''Pittosporum longifolium'' Putt. * ''Pittosporum phillyraeoides var. microcarpa'' S.Moore orth. var. * ''Pittosporum phillyreoides var. microcarpa'' S.Moore * ''Pittosporum phillyreoides var. microcarpa'' S.Moore isonym * ''Pittosporum phylliraeoides var. microcarpa'' E.M.Benn. orth. var. * ''Pittosporum roeanum'' Putt. * ''Pittosporum salicinum'' Lindl. p.p. * ''Pittosporum phillyreoides'' auct. non DC.: Stanley, T.D. in Stanley, T.D. & Ross, E.M. (1984), Pittosporaceae. Flora of South-eastern Queensland 1 * ''Pittosporum phillyreoides'' auct. non DC.: Bennett, E.M. in Jessop, J.P. & Toelken, H.R. (ed.) (1986), Flora of South Australia * ''Pittosporum phillyreoides'' auct. non DC.: Wheeler, J.R. in Marchant, N.G., Wheeler, J.R., Rye, B.L., Bennett, E.M., Lander, N.S. & Macfarlane, T.D. (1987), Pittosporaceae. * ''Pittosporum phillyreoides'' auct. non DC.: Makinson, R.O. in Harden, G.J. (ed.) (1992), Pittosporaceae. Flora of New South Wales * ''Pittosporum phillyreoides'' auct. non DC.: Walsh, N.G. & Albrecht, D.E. in Walsh, N.G. & Entwisle, T.J. (ed.) (1996), Pittosporaceae. |range_map =Pittosporum angustifolium AVH records-2020-03-26.png |range_map_caption = Occurrence data from AVH }} }}

'''''Pittosporum angustifolium''''', commonly known as '''butterbush''', '''weeping pittosporum''', '''berrigan''', '''native willow''', '''native apricot''', '''western pittosporum''', '''apricot tree''', '''bitter bush''', '''cattle bush''' or '''poison berry tree''',<ref name=woolshed>{{citation |url=https://wtlandcare.org/details/pittosporum-angustifolium/ |title=Butterbush |publisher=Woolshed Thurgoona Landcare Group |access-date=2 May 2022}}</ref> is a weeping shrub or tree that is endemic to mostly inland, continental Australia. It has oblong, linear or narrowly elliptic leaves, fragrant yellow to cream-coloured flowers arranged in leaf axils or on the ends of branches, and oval to spherical, yellowish capsules with dark or orange-red seeds.

==Description== ''Pittosporum angustifolium'' weeping shrub or tree up to about {{cvt|10|m}} high. It has thick fissured, fibrous or flaky bark. Its leaves are arranged alternately, oblong, linear or narrowly elliptic, curved, {{cvt|50–90|mm}} long and {{cvt|6–11|mm}} wide on a petiole {{cvt|5–14|mm}} long. The flowers are dioecious, arranged singly or in small groups in leaf axils, or in clusters on the ends of branches, each flower on a pedicel {{cvt|5–12|mm}} long. Male flowers are in groups of four, with a small pistil and stamens {{cvt|5.5–6.0|mm}} long. Female flowers have an ovary about {{cvt|5|mm}} long with a short style. Flowering mostly occurs from winter to spring, and the fruit is an oval to spherical, yellowish capsule {{cvt|8–14|mm}} in diameter containing sticky, reddish-brown seeds {{cvt|4–5|mm}} long.<ref name="FoA">{{cite web |last1=Cayzer |first1=Lindy W. |editor-last1=Kodela |editor-first1=Phillip G. |title=''Pittosporum angustifolium'' |url=https://profiles.ala.org.au/opus/foa/profile/Pittosporum%20angustifolium |publisher=Flora of Australia. Australian Biological Resources Study, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Canberra |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref><ref name="RBGS">{{cite web |last1=Makinson |first1=Robert O. |title=''Pittosporum angustifolium'' |url=https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Pittosporum~angustifolium |publisher=Royal Botanic Garden Sydney |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref><ref name="RBGV">{{cite web |last1=Walsh |first1=Neville G. |last2=Albrecht |first2=David E. |title=''Pittosporum angustifolium'' |url=https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/flora/taxon/73dc381f-fbeb-4530-a733-9004d86a2e12 |publisher=Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref><ref name="NT">{{cite web |title=''Pittosporum angustifolium'' |url=https://eflora.nt.gov.au/factsheet?id=22526 |publisher=Northern Territory Government |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref>

==Taxonomy== ''Pittosporum angustifolium'' was first described in 1832 in the Loddiges' ''The Botanical Cabinet'', published by William and George Loddiges.<ref name="APNI">{{cite web |title=''Pittosporum angustifolium'' |url=https://biodiversity.org.au/nsl/services/rest/instance/apni/525903 |publisher=Australian Plant Name Index |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref><ref name="Lodd.">{{cite journal |last1=Loddiges |first1=Conrad |last2=Loddiges |first2=George |last3=Loddiges |first3=William |title=''Pittosporum angustifolium'' |journal=The Botanical Cabinet |date=1832 |volume=19 |url=https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29151467#page/126/mode/1up |access-date=26 December 2024}}</ref>

George Bentham combined this species and ''P. ligustrifolium'' with ''P. phillyreoides''; however, all three were split in the 2000 revision; the true ''P. phillyreoides'' is only found in a narrow coastal strip of northwestern Australia. The weeping foliage of ''P. angustifolium'' distinguishes it from the other two taxa.<ref name=cayzer>{{cite journal|title=Revision of Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae) in Australia|url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/SB99021.htm|journal= Australian Systematic Botany|year=2000 |publisher=CSIRO|doi=10.1071/sb99021 |access-date=22 April 2012 |last1=Cayzer |first1=Lindy W. |last2=Crisp |first2=Michael D. |last3=Telford |first3=Ian R. H. |volume=13 |issue=6 |page=845 |url-access=subscription }}</ref> {{cladogram |align=right |caption=Cladogram of 9 most closely related species according to the Open Tree of Life.{{r|otol}} |style=font-size:85%;line-height:1; |title=Phylogenetic relationships of related species |cladogram={{clade|1={{clade|2=all other ''Pittosporum'' species|1=CLADE

|targetA=CLADE|subcladeA={{clade|style=line-height:0.7; |1={{clade |1={{clade |1={{clade |1={{clade |1={{clade |1=''P. taitense'' |2=''P. arborescens'' }} |2=''P. moluccanum'' }} |2={{clade |1=''P. lancifolium'' |2=''P. spinescens'' }} }} |2=''P. angustifolium'' }} |2={{clade |1=''P. resiniferum'' |2=''P. ramiflorum'' }} }} |2=''P. tenuifolium'' }}

}}}} }} [[File:Pittosporum angustifolium.jpg|thumb|Flower and fruit in Port Lincoln]]

==Distribution and habitat== ''Pittosporum angustifolium'' is a widespread plant found in all states of Australia apart from Tasmania and in the Northern Territory, mostly in inland Australia. It is found in mallee communities, on alluvial flats and ridges, as well as in dry woodland and on loamy, clay or sandy soils, however it is never common.<ref name=cayzer/> thumb|Fruit

It is drought- and frost-resistant. It can survive in areas with rainfall as low as {{cvt|150|mm}} per year. A resilient desert species, individuals may live for over a hundred years.<ref name=cayzer/><ref>{{cite web|title=''Pittosporum angustifolium''|url=http://www.florabank.org.au/lucid/key/species%20navigator/media/html/Pittosporum_angustifolium.htm| work=FloraBank |access-date=April 23, 2012}}</ref><ref name="RBGS" />

==Uses== ''Pittosporum angustifolium'' is used as an ornamental plant in the garden, prized for its weeping habit and orange fruit.<ref name=woolshed/>

===Traditional/cultural use=== Indigenous Australians used parts of the plant in various ways as medicine.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Gumbi Gumbi - Pittosporum angustifolium |url=https://tuckerbush.com.au/gumbi-gumbi-pittosporum-angustifolium/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Tucker Bush |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1" />

Uses varied from place to place and people to people.<ref name="woolshed" /> Some ate or chewed the gum<ref>{{cite book|title=A Photographic Guide to Trees in Australia|author=Greig, Denise |year=1998 |page=128|publisher=New Holland |isbn=1-86436-326-6}}</ref> that oozed from branches, while others ground seeds into flour for food. Most commonly, the leaves, seed or wood were steeped in hot water and made into a poultice or a tea for medicinal uses, such as to relieve digestive issues, internal pain and cramping, combat chronic fatigue, induce lactation, treat colds, muscle sprains, eczema and other sources of itching.<ref name=woolshed/><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Marketing |date=2022-06-30 |title=Do you know about the Gumbi Gumbi tree? |url=https://www.tascnational.org.au/do-you-know-about-the-gumbi-gumbi-tree/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=TASC |language=en-AU}}</ref>

Despite being known as "native apricot", the bitter fruit is rarely considered a food source.<ref name=":0" />

===Medical/therapeutic use=== Ongoing scientific research is being carried out internationally, and has begun to identify medically relevant biochemistry present in ''P. angustifolium,'' including anti microbial and antibacterial,<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Blonk |first1=Baxter |last2=Cock |first2=Ian E. |date=2019-07-01 |title=Interactive antimicrobial and toxicity profiles of ''Pittosporum angustifolium'' Lodd. extracts with conventional antimicrobials |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095496419300317 |journal=Journal of Integrative Medicine |language=en |volume=17 |issue=4 |pages=261–272 |doi=10.1016/j.joim.2019.03.006 |pmid=31000372 |issn=2095-4964|hdl=10072/385928 |s2cid=109685105 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last1=Beh |first1=Chau Chun |last2=Teoh |first2=Wen Hui |date=2022 |title=Recent Advances in the Extraction of ''Pittosporum angustifolium'' Lodd. Used in Traditional Aboriginal Medicine: A Mini Review |journal=Nutraceuticals |language=en |volume=2 |issue=2 |pages=49–59 |doi=10.3390/nutraceuticals2020004 |issn=1661-3821|doi-access=free |hdl=20.500.11937/88848 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> antioxidant,<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last1=Bäcker |first1=Christian |last2=Jenett-Siems |first2=Kristina |last3=Bodtke |first3=Anja |last4=Lindequist |first4=Ulrike |date=2014 |title=Polyphenolic compounds from the leaves of Pittosporum angustifolium |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0305197814000635 |journal=Biochemical Systematics and Ecology |language=en |volume=55 |pages=101–103 |doi=10.1016/j.bse.2014.02.015|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref name=":3" /> antifungal,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Phan |first1=Anh Dao Thi |last2=Chaliha |first2=Mridusmita |last3=Hong |first3=Hung Trieu |last4=Tinggi |first4=Ujang |last5=Netzel |first5=Michael E. |last6=Sultanbawa |first6=Yasmina |date=2020 |title=Nutritional Value and Antimicrobial Activity of Pittosporum angustifolium (Gumby Gumby), an Australian Indigenous Plant |journal=Foods |language=en |volume=9 |issue=7 |page=887 |doi=10.3390/foods9070887 |issn=2304-8158 |pmc=7404462 |pmid=32640660 |doi-access=free }}</ref> anti inflammatory,<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Agatonovic-Kustrin |first1=Snezana |last2=Gegechkori |first2=Vladimir |last3=Morton |first3=David W. |date=2021-06-21 |title=The effect of extractive lacto-fermentation on the bioactivity and natural products content of Pittosporum angustifolium (gumbi gumbi) extracts |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0021967321002776 |journal=Journal of Chromatography A |language=en |volume=1647 |article-number=462153 |doi=10.1016/j.chroma.2021.462153 |pmid=33957349 |s2cid=233982731 |issn=0021-9673|url-access=subscription }}</ref> and galactogogue compounds.<ref name=":6">{{Cite journal |last1=Sadgrove |first1=Nicholas John |last2=Jones |first2=Graham Lloyd |date=2013-02-13 |title=Chemical and biological characterisation of solvent extracts and essential oils from leaves and fruit of two Australian species of Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae) used in aboriginal medicinal practice |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874112008537 |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |language=en |volume=145 |issue=3 |pages=813–821 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2012.12.019 |pmid=23274743 |issn=0378-8741|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The findings suggest biochemical compounds from this plant have low toxicity when consumed by humans,<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=GL |date=2014 |title=The Biological Activity of Molecular Components from ''Pittosporum angustifolium'' is Consistent with its Use in Traditional Aboriginal Medicine |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273694395 |publication-place=University of New England, Armidale, Australia}}</ref> and could be used to inhibit microbial and fungal growth, bring on lactation, induce apoptosis in cancer cells, protect cells against free radicals and oxidisation, and increase efficacy of commonly prescribed antibiotics; findings are consistent with traditional knowledge and uses.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite journal |title=UQ eSpace |url=https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:40aa632 |access-date=2023-08-12 |website=espace.library.uq.edu.au |date=2018 |doi=10.14264/uql.2018.838 |last1=Patil |first1=Anuja |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Central Queensland University conducted a long-term project to examine the potential medicinal uses of native Australian plants, in consultation with Ghungalu elder Uncle Steve Kemp, who has been providing plant materials, including ''P. angustifolium'', for the project.<ref name=":1">{{cite web | last=Hines | first=Jasmine | title=Gumby gumby trees and other Aboriginal medicines to be researched by CQ University | website=ABC News| publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=25 April 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-26/cq-university-traditional-medicine-research-ghungalu-elder/101009154 | access-date=2 May 2022}}</ref> Cytotoxic, antioxidant and phenolic compounds have been identified, providing a strong case for the therapeutic benefits and potential cancer fighting properties of the plant.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal |last1=Mani |first1=Janice |last2=Johnson |first2=Joel |last3=Hosking |first3=Holly |last4=Walsh |first4=Kerry |last5=Neilsen |first5=Paul |last6=Naiker |first6=Mani |date=2022-03-01 |title=In vitro Cytotoxic Properties of Crude Polar Extracts of Plants Sourced from Australia |journal=Clinical Complementary Medicine and Pharmacology |language=en |volume=2 |issue=1 |article-number=100022 |doi=10.1016/j.ccmp.2022.100022 |s2cid=247152260 |issn=2772-3712|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite journal |last1=Mani |first1=Janice S. |last2=Johnson |first2=Joel B. |last3=Hosking |first3=Holly |last4=Ashwath |first4=Nanjappa |last5=Walsh |first5=Kerry B. |last6=Neilsen |first6=Paul M. |last7=Broszczak |first7=Daniel A. |last8=Naiker |first8=Mani |date=2021-03-25 |title=Antioxidative and therapeutic potential of selected Australian plants: A review |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874120334681 |journal=Journal of Ethnopharmacology |language=en |volume=268 |article-number=113580 |doi=10.1016/j.jep.2020.113580 |pmid=33189842 |s2cid=226973440 |issn=0378-8741|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Some cytotoxic properties have also been identified in other studies.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bäcker |first1=Christian |last2=Drwal |first2=Malgorzata N. |last3=Preissner |first3=Robert |last4=Lindequist |first4=Ulrike |date=2016-04-01 |title=Inhibition of DNA–Topoisomerase I by Acylated Triterpene Saponins from ''Pittosporum angustifolium'' Lodd. |journal=Natural Products and Bioprospecting |language=en |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=141–147 |doi=10.1007/s13659-016-0087-5 |issn=2192-2209 |pmc=4805651 |pmid=26803837}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bäcker |first1=Christian |last2=Jenett-Siems |first2=Kristina |last3=Siems |first3=Karsten |last4=Wurster |first4=Martina |last5=Bodtke |first5=Anja |last6=Lindequist |first6=Ulrike |date=2014-06-01 |title=Cytotoxic Saponins from the Seeds of Pittosporum angustifolium |url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.5560/znc.2014-0011/html |journal=Zeitschrift für Naturforschung C |language=en |volume=69 |issue=5–6 |pages=191–198 |doi=10.5560/znc.2014-0011 |pmid=25069157 |s2cid=4650274 |issn=1865-7125|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|refs=

<ref name=otol>{{cite web |access-date=2025-01-14 |title=[Pittosporum taitense + Pittosporum tenuifolium] |url=https://tree.opentreeoflife.org/opentree/opentree15.1@mrcaott43012ott403886/Pittosporum-taitense--Pittosporum-tenuifolium |website=Open Tree of Life }}</ref>

}}

==External links== *[https://avh.ala.org.au/occurrences/search?taxa=Pittosporum+angustifolium#tab_mapView ''Pittosporum angustifolium'': Occurrence data from the Australasian Virtual Herbarium]

Category:Apiales of Australia Category:Flora of New South Wales Category:Flora of Victoria (state) Category:Flora of South Australia Category:Flora of the Northern Territory Category:Flora of Western Australia angustifolium Category:Ornamental trees Category:Trees of Australia Category:Drought-tolerant trees Category:Plants described in 1832