Syzygium paniculatum

Syzygium paniculatum, the magenta lilly pilly or magenta cherry, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, native to New South Wales, Australia. A broad dense bushy rainforest tree, in cultivation it grows to a height of 15 m (49 ft) with a trunk diameter up to 35 cm (14 in). The largest known example is at Ourimbah Creek, 35 m (115 ft) metres tall. The leaves are 3–9 cm (1.2–3.5 in) long, opposite, simple and slightly obovate, tapering at the leaf base. They are dark glossy green above, and paler below. White flowers are produced in clusters. The edible fruit is usually magenta, but can be white, pink or purple. The seeds are polyembryonic. A population of Syzygium paniculatum occurs on the eastern side of Jervis Bay, with trees 20–30 m (66–98 ft) tall, some with a diameter at breast height of 1.5 m (4.9 ft).

Description

An evergreen tree. It grows 6-20 m tall and with a spread of 4-8 m across. The stem is erect and the branches are spreading. It has a dense crown of leaves. The young leaves are bronze coloured. The leaves are shiny and dark green on the upper surface but paler underneath. They are oval or curved but taper towards the ends and are 5-9 cm long by 3 cm wide. The flowers are white and 1-1.5 cm across. They occur in clusters in the angles where leaves join and at the ends of branches. The fruit is round or oval and dark red. The fruit can also be pink or purple. It is 2.5 cm across. There is a fleshy crown at the end of the fruit. The fruit is edible. The seed contains 2-8 embryos. If the seed is squeezed it will break into several uneven segments.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Crisp and very juicy, the aromatic rose-purple fruits are often eaten to quench the thirst. A succulent, fleshy pulp with a slightly sweet flavour. The fruit is up to 15mm long and 10mm wide.The magenta fruits are 15-25 mm in diameter and contain a single seed.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is better suited to warm temperate places than the subtropics or tropics. It occurs naturally in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia. It is a rainforest species. It suits humid locations. It does best on medium to heavy soils. It requires moist soils in a shady position. But plants can grow with full sun. It can withstand drought. It is damaged by frost. It needs a minimum temperature above 7°C. It can stand slight frosts. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Hobart Botanical gardens. Melbourne Botanical Gardens. Wittunga Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

AUSTRALASIA: Australia (New South Wales (east))

Cultivation

193106 200 Succeeds in any good well-drained soil. This species is not very cold-hardy, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c.

Propagation

Seed - polyembryonic, usually producing several seedlings from each seed. Germination taks 3 - 4 weeks. Stem cuttings root fairly easily.

Other Uses

Plants are used for hedging in frost-free areas of California.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Australian Brush cherry, Creek Lilly-Pilly, Jambinho-roxo, Jambinho, Jambo-da-australia, Rose apple, Scrub cherry

References (29)

• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 964
• Brickell, C. (Ed.), 1999, The Royal Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Convent Garden Books. p 995
• Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 51, 197
• Cronin, L., 1989, The Concise Australian Flora. Reed. p 141
• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1393

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