Tetratheca rubioides

A compact shrub, usually to 0.6 m high, spreading to about 0.5 metres wide with many stems.

It is endemic to NSW; growing mainly on the central tablelands / coastal divide, with concentrated records as far north as Newnes Plateau, south through Lithgow and east to Kurrajong-area, south to Katoomba and Lake Burragorang. There are outlying records further north; east of Rylestone near Mt Coricudgy, and as far south as Braidwood and Mogo State Forest. 

It is mainly found in dry sclerophyll woodland and forest, into heathland and shrubland, mainly on sandstone substrate. 

In Tetratheca spp., leaves are simple and can be arranged alternately or in opposite pairs or whorls. Some species can exhibit varying leaf arrangements (dimorphic). In this species, leaves usually in whorls of 5 to 7, sometimes in pairs or lesser numbers on lower parts of the branches, to 15 mm long, about 1 mm wide, linear in shape, upper surface densely hairy with margins rolled down. 

Tetratheca spp. tend to produce solitary or paired flowers in leaf axils, well beyond the foliage. They typically have 4 petals which resemble an even cross (some flowers can have 5 petals), with 8 stamens and 1 carpel. Flowers often point downwards (pendent) which attracts certain insects. In this species, flowers are solitary, deep lilac-pink, to about 20 mm across, occurring mostly in October to November.

Tetratheca spp. produce fruit as capsules which open longitudinally. In this species, the capsules are to 5 mm long and opening longitudinally; seeds about 3 mm long.