Large shrub or small tree to 7 m or so tall with the branches spreading from near the base of the trunk. New growth white-hairy. Leaves alternate to whorled, mostly obovate, 5-8 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, entire, the edge curved under, tip pointed, base wedge-shaped, leathery, glossy green above with matted white hair beneath. Leaf stalks to 2 cm long, white-hairy. Flowers high in tree in deep maroon-purple clusters at ends of branches; Aug-Dec. Fruit with 3(4) valves,1.5-2 cm long, densely hairy, with a thickened wall, containing up to 40 black seeds in a sticky resin; late spring.
New Zealand.
Flowers and fruit are similar to P. tenuifolium. Leaves narrowing gradually to the base and with a dense felt of white or sometimes golden brown hair below.
Source: (2002). Pittosporaceae. In: . Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.
Pittosporum crassifolium 'Variegatum'
A generally smaller, more compact plant with grey-green variegated leaves, the edges having an irregular creamy margin to 5 mm or so wide.