Erect to spreading shrub to about 1.2 m tall, the branchlets with 4 fringed angles. Leaves cordate to almost triangular, about 1 cm long and wide. Flowering portion of stem with 1-3 flowers per axil. Flowers about 8 mm wide, white or pink with a pink centre; mostly spring but also at other times of year. Petals 3-4 mm long. Stamens mostly 30-35. Ovary 3-chambered and 3-lobed at the tip; ovules 2 per chamber.

H. speciosum Turcz. has hanging, stalked pink flowers and young branchlets without winged angles. H. xanthopetalum F. Muell. is easily recognised by the hairy new growth and yellow flowers and is often mistakenly listed as H. tetrapterum Turcz. which also has yellow flowers, but has hairless branches and leaves.

WA.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Myrtaceae. 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.