A fruit-bearing shrub long known as dog's balls might finally get the snip of its colloquial name.

The bush, found across northern Australia and first discovered by Europeans near the Endeavour River in far north Queensland, has long been used by Indigenous people to treat dysentery and diarrhoea.

But in modern European history, the plant's unusual appearance earned its equally distinct name.

"Most people ask why is it called dog's balls until you show them a picture of the fruit," Russell Barrett from Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens said.

"Then the penny drops.

"It's because the fruit generally has two seeds that are fused together side by side, covered in soft hairs, that hang down on a short stalk."

Russell Barrett has discovered the shrub commonly known as 'dog's balls' is a new species. ( Supplied: Botanic Gardens and Centennial Parklands )

Dr Barrett said one reason the unfortunate name stuck was confusion with another species from south-east Asia 250 years ago.

He said the low-lying shrub with broad, velvety leaves, was known as the Grewia retusifolia.

"When I compared European, Asian, and Australian Grewia retusifolia specimens it became apparent that dog's balls is a completely different species," Dr Barrett said.

"Being such a famous shrub with important medicinal qualities, it was quite a surprise to find that no previous botanists had recognised it was distinct from the Asian species.''

Dr Barrett has now proposed the Australian shrub be known as Grewia savannicola.

Head of the James Cook University's Australian Tropical Herbarium, Darren Crayn, said the shrub was well-known to most residents in northern Australia.

"We'll still call it dog's balls, there's no doubt about that," Professor Crayn said.

"With a name like that, it's very hard to wipe it and its well-entrenched in north Queensland culture.

"But certainly, the scientists and the field guides and the scientific literature will adopt the new name, Grewia savannicola."

Dr Barrett's research has been published in the journal Austrobaileya.