Description

Broadleaf, evergreen shrub or tree, to 6-30 ft tall in natural environment. In the landscape, a shrub 8-12 ft tall and 4-8 ft wide. Compact rounded growth habit. Stems are bright red to purple-red in color. Leaf arrangement variable, alternate, then more sub-opposite or opposite towards the ends of branches. The leaves are aromatic, simple, tiny, lanceoate to narrow-elliptic, dark green with a pale underside. Male and female flowers are on separate plants, both in small terminal custers. Male flowers are pale brown to flesh colored and have 20-25 stamens. The small female flowers have 3-8 petals that are yellow-cream or white; they appear in late winter, spring or early summer (depending on the climate) and are followed by red and finally black, globose, tiny berries. Sun to part shade, prefers moist, well-drained soil; can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. Understorey plants of open forests or temperate rainforests. A “bushfood” native pepper sold in Australia, it is produced from the dried leaves and berries of this plant.