| Myrsine howittiana | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Myrsinaceae |
| Genus: | Myrsine |
| Species: | M. howittiana |
| Binomial name | |
| Myrsine howittiana (F.Muell. ex Mez) Jackes |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Rapanea howittiana Mez |
|
Myrsine howittiana (Brush Muttonwood [1] or Muttonwood[2] ) is a shrub or small tree in the family Myrsinaceae. The species is endemic to eastern Australia.[1]
It grows to between 3 and 10 metres in height and has smooth, often whitish, bark.[2] The buds of new growth are covered with rusty-coloured hairs. The leaves are obovate to elliptic in shape and between 4 and 13 cm long and 2 to 4 cm wide.[1] These are shiny with wavy edges and a duller undersurface and have petioles that are 7 to 14 mm in length.[1] Greenish-white to cream flowers are produced in spring and summer.[1] These are followed by blue or mauve fruits which are 5 to 7 mm in diameter and ripen between December and June.[1]
The species occurs from southern Victoria (37° S), northwards through New South Wales to Fraser Island (25° S) in Queensland often in areas where rainforest interfaces with moist open forest.[1]