This is a highly common native plant with beautiful new leaf flushes, small pink flowers and stunningly red to black berries.This back mangrove plant from the Myrsinaceae Family has an interesting common name Shoebutton. Ecologically, it is an important host plant for some butterflies and the local butterfly Harlequin (scientific name: Taxila harquinus harquinus) is facing the threats of extinction because of the disappearance of its habitat and breeding sites. Information on this plant and the butterfly can be found in the links below. Mr Khew's website Butterfly Circle provides lots of information on and photos of butterflies. It is definitely a site worth checking out and reading.
