Scrub ironwood, White Myrtle, Ironwood
Gossia acmenoides

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows 5-18 m high and spreads 3-5 m wide. The trunk is crooked. The bark is smooth and brown. The leaves are 2-8 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. They are oval and taper to the tip. The leaves are dark green. The flowers are 1 cm across. They are white and occur in clusters of 2-3. These are in the axils of leaves. The fruit is a berry. It is 0.6 cm across. It is round and black.

There are 30 Gossia species. They occur in Australia.

Where it is found

It grows in tropical to warm temperate regions. In tropical Queensland it grows from 50-600 m altitude. It requires a semi-shady position and a well drained soil. It will grow in most soils. It is damaged by drought and frost.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The leaves are used to improve the flavour of tea.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, leaves - flavouring, fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed or cuttings. Plants respond to fertiliser and watering.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Austromyrtus acmenoides (F.Muell.) Burret; Myrtus acmenioides;