One of the sweetest-scented plants of the entire Illawarra region is also one of the most common, and most overlooked, species.

Native Daphne, or Pittosporum undulatum, is a small to medium-sized tree, with a dark brown and often twisted trunk, glossy leaves with undulating margins, and flowers with the most heavenly scent.

Right now Native Daphne is in flower around the region, a little early as September is considered to be its peak flowering month, but get out there and enjoy it now!

This tree can be seen in natural areas right around the region, from the escarpment to the sea. It is widespread in local rainforests, whether in littoral rainforest at the coast such as at Puckey's Estate or Seven Mile Beach, or along the escarpment slopes, where it can grow into a tall and stately tree up to 20m high.

You can also see it in woodlands and sclerophyll forests, where it forms a component of the understorey, often growing up to around 3-5m high before being attacked by borers and losing its crown.

Woodland areas such as Purrungully Woodland in Horsley or Wiseman Park in Gwynneville are good places to see this plant in flower, as plants are smaller and flowers are more accessible. The Illawarra Rhododendron and Rainforest Gardens also have many good-sized specimens with accessible flowers – try the rainforest walk in the upper gardens. 

I almost never hear about this tree in a positive sense. It is somewhat maligned as being 'weedy' in certain situations, for example, in Sydney where altered nutrient regimes mean it pops up in heathland. And in the Illawarra, it is often overlooked, barely remarked on by walkers, bush regenerators or gardeners. 

Yet it is a common component of the local ecology and worth appreciating, particularly right now when it is flowering so profusely and so sweetly. Get out and enjoy it this month or next.