Myrsine howittiana

Myrsine howittiana, common name muttonwood, is a shrub or small tree in the family Primulaceae. The species is endemic to eastern Australia. It grows to between 3 and 10 m in height and has smooth, often whitish, bark. 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. These are shiny with wavy edges and a duller undersurface and have petioles that are 7 to 14 mm in length. Greenish-white to cream flowers are produced in spring and summer. These are followed by blue or mauve fruits which are 5 to 7 mm in diameter and ripen between December and June. The species is pollinated by a thrips. The species occurs from southern Victoria, northwards through New South Wales to southern Queensland often in areas where rainforest interfaces with moist open forest.

135.00 Location C2 Latitude; -38.402028344990  Longitude; 146.051119519616

135.01 Location Many specimens form part of the Tarwin River bank restoration plantings by the West Gippsland CMA in 2009/11