Syzygium smithii

(Poir.) Nied.

Lilly Pilly tree, Creek Lillypilly

Myrtaceae Edible: Fruit, Vegetable 3,636 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Syzygium smithii (formerly Acmena smithii) is a summer-flowering, winter-fruiting evergreen tree, native to Australia and belonging to the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It shares the common name "lilly pilly" with several other plants. It is planted as shrubs or hedgerows, and features: rough, woody bark; cream and green smooth, waxy leaves; flushes of pink new growth; and white to maroon edible berries. Unpruned, it will grow about 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft) tall in the garden.

Description

A small tree. It grows 10-20 m high and spreads 5-15 m across. The bark is brown and scaly. The younger twigs are square in cross section. Leaf shape and size vary. The leaves are 2-17 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are oval shaped and dark green and shiny. They are drawn out to a long point. Flushes of young growth are often pinkish. The flowers are small and greenish. They occur on a much branched flower stalk at the ends of small branches. There are many flowers and these flowers occur all over the tree. The fruit berry is 1-1.5 cm across. It is white or pink and fleshy. The fruit has a characteristic depressed disk at the tip. The fruit have an aroma. There is one seed inside. The seed is 0.9-1.3 mm across. The fruit are edible.

Edible Uses

The fleshy fruit is eaten raw and can be processed into jams and jellies. The fruit is rich in folates.

Traditional Uses

The flesh of the fruit is eaten raw. They can also be used for jams and jellies.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

No medicinal uses recorded.

Distribution

It can grow from the tropics to temperate regions. Trees in the tropics are larger. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types. It can grow in shade or full sunlight. It can grow in clay soils but will not tolerate water-logging. It responds to watering in the dry season. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Hobart Botanical gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Brazil, South America, Tasmania,

Cultivation

Selected types can be maintained by vegetative propagation. This is done by taking semi-hardwood stem cuttings. Using bottom heat and mist helps the cuttings to form roots and strike. Cuttings can be grafted onto seedlings. Plants can be grown from seed. It must be sown while fresh. Seeds germinate in 3-8 weeks.

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability and so should be sown as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow and erratic. Fresh, unpeeled seeds germinate quickly and reliably. Cuttings of firm, current season's growth. Fairly easy to root.

Other Uses

The heartwood is white to light-brown or pale-straw coloured; the sapwood is pale. The wood is close-grained, moderately strong and durable in the weather but not in the ground. It is used for general building construction and seasoned for use in internal fittings and frames. The plant responds well to trimming and can be grown as a tall hedge.

Production

Fruit ripen May to August. (May to October) The quality of fruit varies considerably and selection needs to be used to improve them.

Notes

There are 15 Acmena species. They occur in tropical Asia and Australia. It is rich in folates.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	93.4	89	21	0.3	—	2	0.1	0.1

Synonyms

Acmena elliptica G. Don ex Steud.Acmena elliptica G. Benn.Acmena floribunda var. elliptica A. Cunn. ex DC.Acmena kingii G. DonAcmena pendula G. Benn.Acmena smithii (Poir.) Merr. & L. M. PerryAcmena smithii var. minor (Maiden) Merr. & L. M. PerryEugenia elliptica Sm. [Illegitimate]Eugenia smithii Poir.Eugenia smithii var. coriacea DominEugenia smithii var. minor MaidenLomastelma elliptica Raf.Lomastelma smithii (Poir.) J. H. Willis Myrtus smithii (Poir.) Spreng.Syzygium brachynemum G. Muell.

Also Known As

Acmena, Jambinho-rosa

References (46)

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Bonney, N., 1997, Economic Native Trees and Shrubs for South Australia. Greening Australia (SA) inc. Campbelltown SA 5074 p 168

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