Syzygium bungadinnia

(F. M. Bailey) B. Hyland

Bamaga white fruit, Bungadinnia Satinash

Myrtaceae Edible: Fruit 4 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Source: Wikipedia

Syzygium bungadinnia, commonly known as bungadinnia satinash, is a species of plant in the clove and eucalyptus family Myrtaceae. It is endemic to Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia, where it grows in rainforest and gallery forest. It was first described in 1898.

Description

A tree that grows up to 10 m tall. It has a dense rounded crown of leaves. The bark is red and papery. The leaves are oblong and thick. They are 10 cm long by 4 cm across. The leaves are shiny green on the upper surface and pale and duller underneath. The flowers are white and occur in clusters in the angles of leaves. They also occur on the ends of branches. The fruit are cream coloured and round. They are 7 cm across. The fruit are edible.

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.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It occurs in north-east Queensland in Australia. They prefer well-drained loamy soils. They need plenty of watering. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Where It Grows

Australia*, Torres Strait,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe.

Other Uses

Although not utilized commercially, this species could produce 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.

Production

Plants are fairly slow growing. Flowers occur June to August and fruit are ripe October to December.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	80.8	318	76	0.5	—	1	—	—

Synonyms

Eugenia bungadinnia F. M. Bailey

Also Known As

Paperbark Satinash

References (5)

Bailey, F. M., 1913, Comprehensive Catalogue of Queensland Plants. Queensland Government. p 209
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 50
Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 76, 340
Mua Bioversity Profile, 2013, Profile for Management of the Habitats and Related Ecological and Cultural Resources of Mua Island. Torres Strait Regional Authority Land & Sea Management Unit. p 38
Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 344