This large shrub to small tree has a stout trunk with greyish rough bark and spreading branches that form a rounded crown. It has glossy green oblong sharply toothed leaves and the creamy-white flowers appear in a cluster in the upper branches during winter.

Hardiness zones 8 to 10

Rapanea variabilis is naturally found in Australia growing from the southern coast of New South Wales to Queensland on the coastal planes and tablelands in sheltered forest and along rainforest margins.

It prefers a protected semi shaded to sunny position and grows in well drained fertile, organic rich moist sandy soils and is salt, drought and frost tolerant.

Muttonwood is an adaptable large shrub that is grown for its bushy habit. It is planted in gardens and bushland settings on the coast or in the lower mountains. It is also used in rainforest settings or planted around a water feature and has a moderate growth rate establishing in 2 to 5 years.

Rapanea(ra-PAN-ee-ah) variabilis(vah-ree-a-BIL-es)

Myrsinaceae(MER-sin-AY-see-ee)