Muttonwood

Muttonwood, Myrsine howittiana, is a small, mid-storey tree (about 15m in our district) that grows in sheltered, moist sites: warm temperate rainforest, wet open forest, and riparian woodlands. It is well distributed throughout south-eastern Victoria and up the eastern seaboard to about Brisbane.

Map credit: vicflora

At a quick glance, a Muttonwood can be mistaken for the invasive Sweet Pittosporum. Muttonwood has green, oblong leaves that are paler underneath, wavy edges and rounded tips. Young leaves often have serrated edging. New growth on Muttonwood has fine, brown hairs.

In the summer, small creamy flowers grow in clusters along the branches, and bunches of blue, grape-like fruit are formed. Muttonwood is a good bird and butterfly attractor. It sometimes appears in good nurseries and makes an interesting landscape species in a sheltered garden.

Worth a try!