Crowea exalata

Description

Crowea exalata is a small shrub, growing to a height of about 1 metre (3 ft) with thin branches, often spreading to more than 1 metre (3 ft). Its leaves are narrow oblong to narrow egg-shaped with the narrower end towards the base and are 15–50 millimetres (0.6–2 in) long and 1–6 millimetres (0.04–0.2 in) wide. They have many oil glands and have a characteristic scent when crushed. The star-like flowers appear on the ends of the branches or in the axils of the leaves on a stalk 2–4 millimetres (0.08–0.2 in) long. The five petals are egg-shaped, about 10 millimetres (0.4 in) and usually pink, sometimes white and a range of colours in the cultivars. The stamens in the centre of the flower almost overlap. Flowering occurs mainly from mid-summer to late winter but flowers can be present most of the year. The fruits that follow are dry and have 5 compartments which open to release 2 seeds each.