What is this tiny thing on the branch
This is a female of yet another scale insect (Coccoidea). We have discussed one recently.

I guess we can identify this one rather precisely as Ceroplastes sinensis or its close relative. Species of this group are of South American origin, but Ceroplastes sinensis has today an extremely broad distribution. So, if you found this plant ("Variegata" is a specific epithet, by the way: it would be of some help if you provided the generic name as well) in Europe or Asia it's likely sinensis itself.