Syzygium buettnerianum
(K. Schum.) Nied.
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Summary
Source: WikipediaSyzygium buettnerianum, also known as the Cape York satinash or New Guinea satinash, is a species of tree in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It is found throughout Papua New Guinea as well as in the Torres Strait Islands and Cape York Peninsula of North Queensland, Australia.
Description
A tree. It grows 12-30 m tall. The trunk is 45-100 cm across. The leaves are opposite and simple. They are 6 cm long by 3 cm wide. The leaves are medium green above and lighter green underneath. The flowers are in open groups near the end of the branches. The flowers are dark red. The fruit are blue. They are 2.5 cm long by 1.5 cm across.
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. The subglobose or depressed globular fruits are about 15 - 20mm long and 16 - 20mm wide.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. In PNG it has been recorded in Morobe Province and Bougainville. It grows from sea level to 610 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu,
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe.
Other Uses
Probably able to provide a useful 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.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Eell
References (3)
- Foreman, D. B., 1971, A checklist of the Vascular Plants of Bougainville with Descriptions of some Common Forest Trees. Botany Bulletin No. 5. Department of Botany. p 116 (As Eugenia buettnerianum)
- 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
- Plants of Papua New Guinea LAE herbarium record
