A little local tree just covered in fruit
Not only that, it's a theme of trees that are named after non-tree things. Last week it was the Bonewood, this week it's the Brush Muttonwood (Myrsine howittiana), and you can get a pretty good idea from the name what the foresters thought of it. And my goodness isn't it putting on a fruity show? Lo
It's meant to be 'fern week' for me and I was looking forward to writing about the massive drifts of beautiful bright green Sickle Fern (Pellaea falcata) that are looking so wonderful at the moment after all the rains. But I've had so many requests to help identify one particular local tree that's fruiting splendidly around the place, I really have to continue on with the tree theme from last week.
Not only that, it's a theme of trees that are named after non-tree things. Last week it was the Bonewood, this week it's the Brush Muttonwood (Myrsine howittiana), and you can get a pretty good idea from the name what the foresters thought of it. And my goodness isn't it putting on a fruity show? Look at this!
The most striking thing about the Brush Muttonwood is its habit of producing fruit along its smaller branches, rather than in the forks of branches or leaves, or at the ends of the branches. Add to that the sheer density of the fruit this year, which is definitely a real bumper. The fruit are so densely crowded on the branches that the latter are completely invisible for some length, and so numerous that the branches are weighed right down and some indeed break under the weight. The colour, a cheerful purple, adds to the overall impression.
Brush Muttonwood is actually quite a widespread tree in the Illawarra region, growing in rainforest along the escarpment, on the Berkeley hills, along the creeks that run east from the escarpment and as an occasional understorey plant in eucalypt forest.
There are a couple of spots where it's very easy to see. The most accessible is, perhaps surprisingly, at the bus stop on Northfields Avenue at the University of Wollongong. Just behind the bus stands are a couple of large Brush Muttonwoods loaded with fruit. A second option, where Brush Muttonwood appears in a more natural setting is at Scarborough Railway Station. On the small road to the west of the station, several specimens are growing well and flowering handsomely.
I don't think I've ever seen this gorgeous little tree in a garden or used in landscaping. Why might that be? I have no idea, but I hope that we can collectively change the situation, and get Brush Muttonwoods into gardens and on verges around the region.
At only 4m to 5m in maximum height, they are suitable to small garden spaces, and ideal for adding to parks for the urban greening effort. Why choose a Magnolia when you can have a gorgeous, local, fruity Brush Muttonwood!
Find more plant advice at Growing Illawarra Natives
