Cryptocarya myrtifolia leaves

The leaves of Cryptocarya myrtifolia, commonly the myrtle wild-quince, are alternate on short stalks.

The leaf-shape is variable, mostly broadly ovate to lanceolate. Leaves taper broadly towards their tips, in the photo some attenuate abruptly to acute points. The leaves, usually small in the crown, may become up to 7 cm long and 2,5 cm wide.

The glossy blades are here quite dark green and glossy above, bluish below. About six faint lateral veins ascend from the midrib, curving in before the margins. Another common name for the tree of wild camphor for the tree refers to the smell exuded by the leaves, twigs and bark.

The tree flowers in summer, producing small, branching clusters growing from leaf axils. The flowers are small, cream-coloured with rusty velvety hairs, also on their stalks.

The fruit is a small, about spherical, red drupe, appearing late in summer to mid-autumn (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993).