The upper surface is usually dark green to mid-green, but may have varying amounts of light grey or (rarely) purple patterning.

The lower surface of the leaf is usually light green but may also be purple or dark red (see gallery for examples).

[3][5] The basionym of this species is Eranthemum variabile which was first described by the Scottish botanist Robert Brown in his book Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen published in 1810.

[6][7] In 1883 the German taxonomist and botanist Ludwig Radlkofer transferred a number of species, including E. variablile, to the new genus Pseuderanthemum.

[8] This species is found in Papua New Guinea, eastern parts of New South Wales and Queensland in Australia, and in New Caledonia.