Trema tomentosa (Native Peach) can grow into a small shrub or tree, and grows right throughout the Illawarra area, within rainforest and on the coastal plain.

When small it is easily confused with lantana because of the similar serrated shape and colour of the leaf.

However, Trema’s leaf is more elongated and has a slightly lighter shade of green. Lantana’s leaves are opposite each other, but Trema’s are alternate. Trema’s leaves are tri-veined, whereas Lantana’s leaves are single veined. Trema grows into a tree, whereas Lantana is a scrambler, but it is difficult to tell the difference when they are small.

Trema is an important food source for small birds and butterfly caterpillars. 

Writer, Bushcare leader and Artist

Kieran Tapsell runs Banksia Bushcare in Stanwell Park. He's also an artist – if you're lucky enough to be stuck in Stanwell Park when the MS Gong bike race closures are in place on Sunday, November 3, go and enjoy a special tour of his studio at 19 Stanwell Avenue. Kieran is opening up to visitors as part of the Northern Illawarra Art Trail and has made ceramic mugs painted with Stanwell Park's 180 species of birds to mark the occasion.

Visiting on any ordinary day? Simply take the bush track from Stanwell Avenue down to the kiosk and park and enjoy Kieran's bushland gallery with tree signage, giant sculptural 'nests' and ceramic eggs.

Read more: Feed the dinosaur addiction at Banksia Bushcare’s Stanwell Park trail and Discover a bush art gallery