Myrsine howittiana

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]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g} "Myrsine howittina". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Myrsine~howittiana. Retrieved 2008-12-18. 
2. ^ ^{a b} Costermans, L. (1981). Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia. Australia: Rigby. ISBN 072701403x.