These have small petals but large styles or stamens. Common in dolerite country up to 1200 metres, often growing amongst boulders. Despite its prickles, it is apparently very palatable to browsing animals. Leaf length varies from 1.5cm in harsh conditions to 13cm. Male and female flowers on different plants at the base of the new season s growth.
Flowers have deciduous sepals and a variable number of yellow or cream narrow oblanceolate petals.
Although the leaves, bark and berries have an aromatic peppery taste which burns the mouth, the berries are eaten by such birds as the Black Currawong. The berries are now used in the fashionable Bush Tucker scene. Widespread from sea level to subalpine in high rainfall areas and montane grasslands. No other members of this family occur in Tasmania but are located widely around the Pacific. The specific name thymifolia means thyme-like leaves.