Pittosporacea
Derives its name from the pouch-like (heart or kidney shaped) capsules which resemble a "bursa" meaning pouch, sac, bag, purse.
Bursaria spinosa plays host to a small wasp, a limited distance flyer which helps control the Christmas Beetle by parasitising the larvae. (Christmas Beetle causes great devastation to Eucalypt species).
It also is an excellent plant or protection from predators for small birds. A great alternative/replacement plant for hawthorn. However, plant is subject to scale attack, with fruit being prone to attack from bugs just prior to seed releasing. Shrubs are liable for assault from chewing insects such as tip-borers, mealy bugs and aphis and can be sprayed.
Thorny erect shrub, height to 3m and sometimes taller.
Leaves dark green, shiny, obovate 2.5cm.
Flowers spring, summer, dense panicles of white flowers at end of branches
Brown fruit after flowering.
Distribution: Australia wide except Western Australia.
Propagation: seed or cuttings.
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