Phebalium squameum (Labill.) Engl.

Satinwood

Variable shrub or tree to over 10 m tall with angular, scaly new growth. Leaves elliptic, 5-10 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, lower surface silvery-scaly. Flower clusters of 3-20 flowers, the stalks angled; spring. Petals 4-5 mm long, white.

Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas

 

P. dentatum Sm., Toothed Phebalium, from NSW has long narrow to linear leaves 4-8 cm long with a toothed notch at the tip, and pale yellow to white flowers in spring. [Leionema dentatum (Sm.) Paul G. Wilson].

P. glandulosum Hook., Desert Phebalium, from SA, Qld, NSW and Vic has scaly stems and leaves to 3 cm long and 5 mm wide with glandular wavy edges, flowers bright yellow in spring.

P. squamulosum Vent. subsp. ozothamnoides (F. Muell.) Peter G.Wilson, Forest or Scaly Phebalium, from Qld, NSW and Vic, which has hairy new shoots and roundish leaves about 1 cm long with profuse yellow flowers in spring.

Source: Spencer, R. (2002). Rutaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 4. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 3. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Phebalium squameum 'Illumination'

Shrub 3-4 m tall, the leaf margins deep cream.

Introduced 1980s.

 

P. 'Illumination Gold' is also listed.