SafePlants

Muttonwood: A Botanical Overview

The common name "Muttonwood" can refer to several different plant species. This overview summarizes information about some of the plants known by this name.

Scientific Names and Common Names

• Myrsine and/or Rapanea species
• Rapanea variabilis: Variable Muttonwood, Muttonwood
• Myrsine howittiana: Brush Muttonwood, Muttonwood
• Myrsine richmondensis: Purple-leaf Muttonwood

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Myrsine howittiana is in the family Primulaceae.
• Synonyms for Myrsine howittiana include: Rapanea howittiana Mez APNI.

Distribution and Habitat

• Rapanea variabilis is a tree native to eastern Australia, with a natural distribution range from near Milton (35 S).
• Myrsine howittiana is a shrub or small tree endemic to eastern Australia.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Rapanea variabilis is described as a shrub or small tree that can grow up to 15m in its natural state but is more commonly seen as a smaller tree.
• Muttonwood can grow as a small tree with a narrow, erect outline.
• When grown in the open, Muttonwood develops a dense canopy.
• Myrsine variabilis (Muttonwood) is described as a bushy tree up to 8m with showy pinkish-purple new growth.
• Leaves of some Muttonwood varieties are shiny dark-green on the upper surface.

Ecological Role and Interactions

• Rapanea variabilis is an important dry rainforest regenerator in rainforest and open forest on the coast.
• The Muttonwood is a bird-attracting shrub or small tree.
• Sweet Pittosporum can outcompete and kill native Muttonwood.

Further Information

• NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (2004), Approved Recovery Plan for the Ripple-leaf Muttonwood (Rapanea species A Richmond River).
• Database entry for Howitt's Muttonwood (Rapanea howittiana) (note: the provided text indicates this entry is currently incomplete).
• Discover Life provides a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Turpinia occidentalis - Muttonwood.