Breynia disticha is a plant in the family Phyllanthaceae, first described in 1776. It is native to New Caledonia and Vanuatu in the western Pacific, but naturalized on a wide assortment of other islands around the world.
Breynia disticha, commonly called snow bush, is a tropical shrub that typically grows 2-4’ tall. It is grown for its attractive red zigzag stems and variegated foliage. Elliptic to ovate green leaves (to 1” long) are liberally mottled with white. Cultivars of this species feature leaves mottled with pink, red and purple. Small greenish apetalous flowers are insignificant. Synonymous with B. disticha. Genus name honors Jacob Breyne (1637-1697), merchant in Danzig and his son Johann Philipp Breyne (1680-1764), physician in Danzig. Traditionally a tropical garden plant, snow bush is slowly becoming recognized as a houseplant because of its appearance.
