Syzygium gustavioides
(F. Muell.) B. Hyland
Grey satinash, Watergum
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) sworboys, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by sworboys
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) sworboys, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by sworboys
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) sworboys, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by sworboys
Description
A tree up to 15 m tall. It can grow to 40 m tall. It has a round spreading crown of leaves. The bark is flaky. The leaves are simple and thick and leathery. They are elongated and 15 cm long by 2.5 cm wide. They are dark green above and paler underneath. Young leaves are brilliant purplish-red. The flowers are small and cream coloured. They occur in loose clusters near the ends of branches. The fruit are hard and about 6 cm across but they can be larger. They are green or dull brown. The fruit have a sunken crown at the top and this can vary considerably in size. The fruit have one seed inside.
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 species. It occurs in rainforests in northeast Queensland in Australia. Young plants need some shade protection. Trees need plenty of water. Trees grow in both the lowland and highland rainforest. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 1200 m altitude.
Where It Grows
Australia*,
Cultivation
It is grown from fresh seed.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe.
Other Uses
The heartwood is yellow to yellowish grey and uniform in texture. The wood is durable when exposed to the weather but not when in contact with the ground. A very popular and useful structural timber, it is used for building timber including framing, dressed window and door sills, joinery and flooring.
Production
It is an easy to grow tree. Flowering occurs at different times throughout the year but fruit may be ripe May to September (February to December).
Synonyms
References (5)
- Cooper W & Cooper W T, 1994, Fruits of the Rain Forest. RD Press p 274
- Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 364
- Jones D, L, 1986, Ornamental Rainforest Plants in Australia, Reed Books, p 79
- Radke, P & A, Sankowsky, G & N., 1993, Growing Australian Tropical Plants. Frith & Frith, Australia. p 61
- Townsend, K., 1994, Across the Top. Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. Society for Growing Australian Plants, Townsville Branch Inc. p 347
