Syzygium nervosum

Syzygium nervosum is a species of tree native to tropical Asia and Australia, extending as far north as Guangdong and Guangxi in China and as far south as the Northern Territory of Australia. It was previously known as Cleistocalyx operculatus, C. nervosum, and Eugenia operculata, and it has many other synonyms. It is a medium-sized tree of about 10 meters in height with pale brown bark and dull green leaves.

Description

A large evergreen tree. It grows up to 15-25 m tall. It has a broad crown densely covered with leaves. The bark is slightly rough and mostly flaky. It is dark cream to grey-brown. Larger trees have buttresses. The leaves are produced opposite one another along the stalk and are leathery. They are 10-18 cm long by 4-7 cm wide. The leaves are dark green and shiny on top and pale green underneath. The leaves have a pointed tip, a wavy edge and distinct veins. The leaf stalk is 1 cm long. The leaves have a strong citrus type smell when crushed. The flowers are white or cream coloured. They have many stamens up to 1 cm long and the flowers have a scent. The flowers occur in clusters in the angles of leaves near the ends of branches. The fruit is smooth and round with a hollow at the end. It is 1-1.5 cm across. It is a shiny purple black when ripe. The fruit has one seed. The seed is oval and 0.8 cm across. The fruit is edible.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw. The leaves can be made into a drink, and seeds are also edible, though the fruit contain little flesh.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

In Vietnam the leaves and buds of S. nervosum are harvested, dried, and brewed as an herbal tea known as "nước vối" with stomachic properties.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in monsoon forest in the Northern Territory in Australia. It also occurs in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and other Asian countries. Often trees are near streams or swamps. They need deep well drained soil. It needs plenty of moisture. In India it grows between 200-1,400 m above sea level. In Nepal plants grow to about 1100 m altitude. They grow in open places. It is found throughout the Philippines.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Christmas Island, East Timor, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

Propagation

Seed - The seed loses viability quickly, and should be sown soon after harvesting.

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins. The reddish-grey wood is hard. It can be used as structural timber. A useful wood, it is used in construction and for agricultural implements. We do not have any more specific information for the wood of this species, but the various species of Syzygium tend to have somewhat similar timber. The general description of syzygium timber is as follows:- The heartwood is a golden brown, greyish brown or brown, with pink or purplish glints; it is not clearly demarcated from the 1 - 4cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is fine; the grain slightly interlocked, sometimes wavy or irregular; there are resin deposits. The wood is heavy; moderately hard; somewhat durable, being moderately resistant to fungi and termites, but susceptible to dry wood borers. It seasons slowly, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It works well with ordinary tools, nailing and screwing are good so long as the wood is pre-bored; gluing is correct. The wood is used for musical instruments, tool handles, furniture components, ship building, heavy carpentry, flooring, joinery etc. A useful tree for reclothing grassy banks in Sal and mixed forests.

Production

Trees flower in September to November and have ripe fruit December to January (April to May).

Other Information

The fruit have little edible flesh.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Banje, Bhadreja muno, Bhali jum, Bhukijabu, Bhuti jam, Boti jam, Camuna, Dapha jam, Dugdugia, Goda jam, Godhajam, Hmui-zu-bel, Jambon, Jangmiso, Khyamuna, Kyamun, Kyamuna, Madar jamua, Malaruhat, Rai jaman, Rai jamun, Salam banen, Salam, Scalybark, Sumuk, Tenuwa, Tram voi, Wa kao

References (53)

• Acharya K. P. and Acharya, R., 2010, Eating from the Wild: Indigenous knowledge on wild edible plants in Parroha VDC of Rupandehi District, Central Nepal. International Journal of Social Forestry. 3(1):28-48 (As Cleistocalyx operculatus)
• Argent, G et al, nd, Manual of the Larger and More important non Dipterocarp Trees of Central Kalimantan Indonesia. Volume 2 Forest Research Institute, Samarinda, Indonesia. p 464 (As Cleistocalyx operculatus)
• Aryal, K. P. et al, 2009, Uncultivated Plants and Livehood Support - A case study from the Chepang people of Nepal. Ethnobotany Research and Applications. 7:409-422 (As Syzygium cerasoides)
• Bajpai, O., et al, 2015, Tree species of the Himalayan Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, India: a checklist. Check List 11(4): 1718
• BARC, 2016, State of Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council. (As Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala)

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