Karo (Pittosporum crassifolium, Ann. Nat. Hist. 4: 106 (1839))

Family: Pittosporaceae

Author: Banks & Sol. ex A.Cunn.

Bibliography: Ann. Nat. Hist. 4: 106 (1839)

Year: 1839

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Pittosporum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Kermadec Is. to New Zealand North I.

Description

Karo, known scientifically as Pittosporum crassifolium, is a remarkable evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Kermadec Islands and New Zealand’s North Island. Earthy in its aesthetics, this plant forms an integral part of the coastal vegetation due to its resilience and adaptability.

First classified in 1839 by the esteemed botanists Banks & Sol. ex A.Cunn., Karo is a member of the Pittosporaceae family. It boasts leathery, oblong leaves that are dark green with a subtle silvery underside, providing a stark yet beautiful contrast. The leaves are densely covered with fine hairs, giving them a slightly fuzzy texture.

The plant typically blooms in spring, producing clusters of small, dark red to purple flowers with a distinct, sweet fragrance. These blossoms eventually give way to woody, seed-filled capsules that further contribute to Karo’s ornamental value.

Karo is particularly well-suited to coastal environments, where it thrives despite saline soils and harsh winds—a testament to its hardy nature. This adaptability makes it a popular choice for windbreaks and shelterbelts in coastal landscaping.

In addition to its ecological importance, Karo also holds cultural significance for indigenous Maori communities, who have historically utilized its sturdy wood and fragrant flowers for various purposes.

In essence, Pittosporum crassifolium is not just a plant, but a resilient symbol of coastal biodiversity and cultural heritage, thriving from the windswept shores of the Kermadec Islands to the diverse landscapes of New Zealand’s North Island.

Common Names

Eng: karo, stiffleaf cheesewood, stiff-leaf cheesewood
Deu: karo-klebsame
Afr: styweblaarkasuur
Cym: caro, llwyn caro, llwyni caro
En: Karo, Stiffleaf cheesewood, Stiff-leaf cheesewood
Af: Styweblaarkasuur
De: Karo-Klebsame
Cy: Caro, Llwyn Caro, Llwyni Caro

Synonyms

• Pittosporum crassifolium var. strictum (Kirk)
• Pittosporum crassifolium album (J.R.Duncan & V.C.Davies)

Distribution

• Kermadec Is. (native)
• New Zealand North (native)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fruit

Taken Mar 26, 2021 by Ric W (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by dp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by dassori paul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2021 by Rt Tr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2021 by Alysha Salisbury (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 30, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Ana Quaresma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 4, 2021 by Cherry Beaver (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by witt1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 2, 2022 by Darren Hogg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by Heron Ash (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 16, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 16, 2022 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Feb 16, 2022 by Cédric Castel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2022 by Jacky Festoc (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2022 by Elliot warner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 9, 2022 by Ramona R (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by Heron Ash (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 2, 2022 by Elaine F (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2986285)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:957688-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Pittosporum crassifolium Banks & Sol. ex A.Cunn.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub

Growth