Scutia myrtina lower leaf surfaces

The lower leaf surface of Scutia myrtina is paler than above, faintly yellowish and less glossy. The midrib bulges more on the lower surface than above.

These leaves are browsed by game and stock. The plant is used to form hedges.

The generic name, Scutia, is derived from the Latin word scutum meaning a shield, possibly referring to this practice. Myrtina means myrtle-like, referring to the plant’s resemblance with the Myrtus genus (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; Pooley, 1993).