Syzygium richii

(A. Gray) Merrill and Perry

Myrtaceae Edible: Fruit 12 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Syzygium richii is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. It is a tree or shrub native to Fiji, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Syzygium richii is a shrub or small tree growing up to 10 meters tall. It is most often found in shoreline and coastal strand vegetation, and occasionally in lowland and secondary forest, generally below 100 and occasionally up to 300 meters elevation.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It grows 3-10 m high. It has a spreading crown and dense leaves. The trunk is 60 cm across. The leaves are broadly oval. They are leathery and 12-20 cm long by 8-12 cm wide. The flowers are in groups 15 cm across. They are in the axils of leaves or near the ends of branches. The fruit turn pink. They are urn shaped and 3-4 cm long. They can have 4 seeds.

Edible Uses

The fruit are eaten.

Distribution

A tropical plant. In Fiji it grows near sea level in thickets near the beach.

Where It Grows

Fiji, Hawaii, Niue, Pacific, Rotuma, Samoa, Tonga, USA, Vanuatu,

Synonyms

Eugenia richii A. Gray

Also Known As

Hahi'a ramramu, Kavika ni waitui, Mbokoi, Menmen, Nggoringgoriwai, Onggori, Qoriqori wai, Suliu

References (10)

Cabalion, P. and Morat, P., 1983, Introduction le vegetation, la flore et aux noms vernaculaires de l'ile de Pentcoste (Vanuatu), In: Journal d'agriculture traditionnelle et de botanique appliquee JATBA Vol. 30, 3-4
Franklin, J., Keppel, G., & Whistler, W., 2008, The vegetation and flora of Lakeba, Nayau and Aiwa Islands, Central Lau Group, Fiji. Micronesica 40(1/2): 169–225, 2008 (As Eugenia richii)
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 301 (As Eugenia richii)
Lebot, V. & Sam, C., Green desert or ‘all you can eat’? How diverse and edible was the flora of Vanuatu before human introductions?. Terra australis 52 p 409
Parham, B. E. V., 1972, Plants of Samoa. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. Information Series. No. 85 p 102

Show all 10 references

Seeman, B., 1865-1873, Flora Vitiensis p 77 (As Eugenia richii)
Smith, A.C., 1985, Flora Vitiensis Nova, Lawaii, Kuai, Hawaii, Volume 3 p 350
Staples, G.W. and Herbst, D.R., 2005, A tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. p 431
Thaman, R. and W. Clarke, Paper on Agroforestry on Aneityum and Tanna, Vanuatu from Internet
Walter, A. & Sam C., 2002, Fruits of Oceania. ACIAR Monograph No. 85. Canberra. p 282