a genus of plantsso called from the viscous pulp which envelops the seeds.(Grk. pitta, pitch, and sporos, seed.)There are about fifty species, which are found in Africa and Asia,but chiefly in Australasia. They are handsome evergreen shrubs,and some grow to a great height; the white flowers, being veryfragrant, have been sometimes likened to orangeblossoms, andthe rich evergreen leaves obtain for some of them the name ofLaurels. They are widely cultivated in the suburbs of citiesas ornamental hedges. See Mock-Orange, Hedge-Laurel, Native Laurel, etc.