Karo, Stiffleaf Cheesewood

Pittosporum Crassifolium

Pittosporum crassifolium is commonly known as Karo, and is a small evergreen tree or shrub that is native to New Zealand.  Karo’s were generally found in the top half of the North Island, although it has now naturalised throughout New Zealand and overseas in Norfolk Island, Hawaii and the Isles of Scilly. 

Karo is in leaf all year and has proved to be a hardy street tree. Easily pruned to size it is also perfectly suited as a hedging plant or for screening. It’s a fast-growing plant with foliage that is rounded with fine hairs.  When it flowers in Spring to Summer, the small blossoms are a deep pinky red colour and held close to the foliage. It grows well in a range of climates and is planted from Sydney to Melbourne.  It’s an excellent tree for integrating with other species and works particularly well with Tristaniopsis laurina and Callistemons.  This is a tough little shrub that copes well with poor soils and coastal conditions but requires good drainage.  The rounded, leathery leaves are scented and the foliage is dense growing.

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