Myrsine howittiana

Myrsine howittiana
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Primulaceae
Genus: Myrsine
Species:
M. howittiana
Binomial name
Myrsine howittiana
Synonyms

Rapanea howittiana Mez

Myrsine howittiana, the brush muttonwood[3] or muttonwood,[4] is a shrub or small tree in the family Primulaceae. The species is endemic to eastern Australia.[3][5]

It grows to between 3 and 10 metres in height and has smooth, often whitish, bark.[4] 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.[3] These are shiny with wavy edges and a duller undersurface and have petioles that are 7 to 14 mm in length.[3] Greenish-white to cream flowers are produced in spring and summer.[3] These are followed by blue or mauve fruits which are 5 to 7 mm in diameter and ripen between December and June.[3]

The species is pollinated by a thrips (thunderfly), Thrips setipennis.[6] 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.[3]

References

  1. ↑ IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group & Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) (2020). "Myrsine howittiana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T177364920A177372411. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T177364920A177372411.en.
  2. ↑ "Myrsine howittiana (F. Muell. ex Mez) Jackes". The Plant List. Archived from the original on 14 August 2025. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Myrsine howittina". PlantNET - New South Wales Flora Online. Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust, Sydney Australia. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 18 December 2008.
  4. 1 2 Costermans, L. (1981). Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia. Australia: Rigby. ISBN 978-0727014030.
  5. ↑ "Myrsine howittiana". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government, Canberra. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  6. ↑ Williams, G. A.; Adam, P.; Mound, L. A. (1 January 2001). "Thrips (Thysanoptera) pollination in Australian subtropical rainforests, with particular reference to pollination of Wilkiea huegeliana (Monimiaceae)". Journal of Natural History. 35 (1): 1–21. doi:10.1080/002229301447853.


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