Syzygium pluviatile
T. G. Hartley & L. M. Perry
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Description
A large tree. It grows 40 m tall. The trunk can be 40 m across. The trunk is straight for 15 m. The bark is smooth and red, or brown. The leaves are in pairs or opposite on small branches. The leaves are widest near the middle. They are 9-11 cm long by 6-8 cm wide. The flowers are near the ends of the branches. The fruit are red and fleshy. There is one seed.
Edible Uses
We have no specific information on edibility for the fruit of this species, but the fruits of many members of this genus are edible.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in rainforest and on coral limestone ridges. It occurs at about 100 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Australia, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, SE Asia,
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe.
Other Uses
A structural timber. 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.
References (2)
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 54 Part 2:199, 1973
- Leiper, G & Houser, J., Mutooroo. Plant Use by Australian Aboriginal People. Assembly press, Queensland. ?
