Syzygium versteegii

(Lauterb.) Merr. & L. M. Perry

Myrtaceae Edible: Fruit 2 iNaturalist observations

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GBIF

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GBIF

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GBIF

Description

A medium sized tree. It grows 12 m tall. The trunk is 45 cm across. The bark is light grey. The leaves are dark green above and more pale underneath. The fruit are pink when ripe.

Edible Uses

The fruit is possibly edible. The dark red, fleshy fruit can be 5cm long and 3cm in diameter, containing a single seed.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. In PNG it has been recorded in the Sepik and Gulf Provinces.

Where It Grows

Papua New Guinea, PNG,

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe.

Other Uses

The timber is used. 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.