Pavetta, the ‘butterfly bush’

Description:

Pavetta australiensis, often known as the "butterfly bush" or simply "pavetta", belongs to the family Rubiaceae and is endemic to Australia. It is an understory shrub that can grow up to 4 metres. The leaves are glossy, up to 14 cm long and with prominent veins. The 4-petalled perfumed white flowers are borne in dense clusters at the ends of branchlets in spring and early summer. These are followed in late summer by round black berries to 6 mm. Bees and butterflies are attracted to the flowers, and birds such as honeyeaters are particularly fond of the nectar.

Habitat:

Found in drier rainforests in northern NSW and throughout eastern Queensland. This bush was spotted along the Araucaria Track, at Enoggera Reservoir in Brisbane.