Monotoca elliptica, commonly known as Tree Broom Heath, is an evergreen shrub native to a variety of habitats in Eastern Australia, including coastal heathlands, open eucalypt forests, and dry sclerophyll forests. This long-lived species can persist for over a hundred years and typically appears as a dense shrub around 3 meters tall, though it can occasionally reach up to 10 meters in exceptional cases. Its leaves are 10 to 25 mm long and 3 to 7 mm wide, with a paler underside and distinctive longitudinal veins. Each leaf terminates in a sharp prickle, and the foliage may be elliptic, oblong, or reverse lanceolate in shape, with a rough, short leaf stem. Tree Broom Heath produces white flowers with red swollen anthers on racemes during late winter and early spring, followed by red or orange spherical fruit 3 to 4 mm in diameter in spring and summer, which were historically used as food by Indigenous Australians. The bark is dark, furrowed, and rough, adding to the plant’s textural interest.

Tree Broom Heath is valued for its resilience and adaptability, making it suitable for hedges and coastal plantings where it can withstand harsh conditions. It responds well to pruning, which can help maintain its shape and density. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and can tolerate a range of soil drainage conditions, from slow to fast. While it can be slow to grow from seed, with germination taking up to 18 months, propagation from cuttings may offer a more reliable method. The wood of Monotoca elliptica was historically used for tool handles due to its durability.CC BY-SA 4.0