Syzygium puberulum

Merr. & L. M. Perry

White satinash

Myrtaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 2 iNaturalist observations

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iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Syzygium puberulum, commonly known as white satinash or downy satinash, is a plant in the family Myrtaceae which is native to rainforests of Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, and Papua New Guinea. It was first described in 1942.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows up to 6-8 m tall. It often has several stems. The branches hang over. The leaves are large and sword shaped. They can be 20 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are dull green on the upper surface and paler underneath. The flowers are large and white. They occur in dense clusters at the ends of small branches. The fruit are round and about 2 cm across. They are pink to red. They are edible.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. The red, globular or ovoid fruit is about 30 - 50mm long and 30 - 45mm wide, containing 1 - 5 large seeds.

Known Hazards

Young trees require plenty of moisture and shade to establish successfully.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in north east Queensland in Australia. It grows from sea level to 300 m altitude. Trees especially when young need plenty of moisture. They need a shady position.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Papua New Guinea, PNG,

Cultivation

They can be grown from fresh seed. It may be possible to used cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - fresh, viable seed can germinate within a few weeks.

Production

Planst grow slowly. In Australia the fruit are ripe January to April.

References (6)

Barwick, M., 2004, Tropical and Subtropical Trees. A Worldwide Encyclopedic Guide. Thames and Hudson p 393
Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 276
Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 367
Hartley, T. G. & Perry, L. M., 1973, Syzygium (Myrtaceae) from Papuasia J. Arn. Arb. Vol 54 p 193
Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 81

Show all 6 references

Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 349