Scaly myrtle, Scrub Ironwood, Hill's ironwood, Hill's lignum
Gossia hillii

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tall shrub. It grows 3-5 m high and spreads 2-4 m wide. It can be a tree to 20 m tall with buttresses. The leaves are 2.5-5 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are oval and dark green. The flowers are 1 cm across. They are white. They occur singly in the axils of leaves. The flower stalks are 2.5 cm long. The fruit is a berry about 1 cm across. It is black and shiny with white pulp. The fruit are edible.

There are 14 Austromyrtus species. They occur in Australia.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs a partly shady position and a well drained soil. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1120 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Austromyrtus hillii (Benth.) Burret; Austromyrtus opaca (C. T. White) L. S. Sm.; Myrtus hillii Benth.; Myrtus opaca C. T. White;