Pittosporum undulatum
Victorian box, mock orange, Mock Orange
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Family: Pittosporaceae · Type: Shrub / Tree · Not Native
Conservation status: Cal-IPC Yes
Pittosporum undulatum (Victorian box) is a non-native California shrub / tree in the Pittosporaceae family, recognized by leaf size, thinness, and acuminate tips.
Victorian box is a naturalized tree found in the central and southern California Coast Ranges and southern Channel Islands in coastal scrub and disturbed areas at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from November to June, this tree produces fragrant white flowers 10 to 15 millimeters long in terminal umbel-like clusters. Growing to 15 meters tall with glabrous or sparsely hairy twigs, it develops a distinctive spreading form. Its thin leaves are 7 to 15 centimeters long, oblong to lance-elliptic, with slightly wavy margins and acuminate tips. The fruit is approximately 10 to 15 millimeters round, containing nearly red seeds and splitting into two valves when mature.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; key features are leaf size, thinness, and acuminate tips
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon but aggressively spreading. Disturbed areas, coastal scrub
Elevation: < 200 m
Outside California: native to southeastern Australia
Bloom period
Pittosporum undulatum blooms Nov-Jun.
Conservation status
Cal-IPC Yes
How to tell it apart
vs Heptapleurum: Pittosporum has simple leaves; Heptapleurum has compound leaves with leaflets radiating like fingers.; vs Eriobotrya: Pittosporum has smooth leaf edges; Eriobotrya has toothed leaves and fuzzy undersides.; vs Quercus: Pittosporum has smooth leathery leaves; Quercus has lobed or toothed leaves and acorns.; vs Philadelphus: Pittosporum has leathery evergreen leaves; Philadelphus has deciduous leaves and showy 4-petaled flowers.; vs Coprosma: Pittosporum has flowers with visible petals; Coprosma has tiny inconspicuous flowers and colorful berries.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pittosporum undulatum native to California?
No. Pittosporum undulatum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Pittosporum undulatum bloom?
Pittosporum undulatum blooms Nov-Jun.
What plant family does Pittosporum undulatum belong to?
Pittosporum undulatum is in the Pittosporaceae family, genus Pittosporum.
Is Pittosporum undulatum invasive in California?
Pittosporum undulatum is listed by Cal-IPC with an invasiveness rating of Yes.
What habitat does Pittosporum undulatum grow in?
Pittosporum undulatum grows in Uncommon but aggressively spreading. Disturbed areas, coastal scrub.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.