Variable dwarf shrub to 1.5 m tall with hairless new growth. Leaves narrowly elliptic to oblanceolate, 0.5-3 cm long, 3-6 mm wide. Flower clusters with 4(8) bracts, 2-4 cm wide. Flowers bisexual or female, the female flowers smaller, white or occasionally pink.

Plants are toxic to stock. Available as compact or pink-flowered variants.

P. prostrata (J.R. &G. Forster) Willd., Pinatoro (Anatoki, New Zealand Daphne), from New Zealand is a variable prostrate or sprawling shrub with narrow whitehairy branches. Leaves small, opposite, numerous, crowded, 4-ranked, 2-6 mm long, 1-3 mm wide, ovate to elliptic, concave, leathery, generally red-edged. Flower clusters of few flowers, to about 1 cm wide with inconspicuous bracts. Flowers white to pinkish, fragrant; summer.

SA, Qld, NSW, Vic,Tas.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Thymeleaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.