Syzygium paniculatum
{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Syzygium paniculatum 88 cm trunk diameter.JPG
| image_caption = Large specimen, trunk diameter 88 cm, estimated height 30 m, Illawarra, Australia
| status = VU
|status_system = EPBC
| status_ref =
| genus = Syzygium
| species = paniculatum
| authority = Gaertn.{{APNI | name =Syzygium paniculatum | id =10292 | access-date = 3 August 2013 }}
| synonyms =
- Eugenia paniculata Gaertn. J.Britt. nom. illeg.
- Eugenia rheedioides Standl. & Steyerm.
}}
Syzygium paniculatum, the magenta lilly pilly or magenta cherry, is a species of flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, native to New South Wales, Australia. A broad dense bushy rainforest tree, in cultivation it grows to a height of {{convert|15 |m|ft|abbr=on}} with a trunk diameter up to {{convert|35|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The largest known example is at Ourimbah Creek, {{convert|35|m|ft|abbr=on}} metres tall.Luke Foster, New South Wales Government - Threatened Species Officer. The leaves are {{convert|3-9|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, opposite, simple and slightly obovate, tapering at the leaf base. They are dark glossy green above, and paler below. White flowers are produced in clusters. The edible fruit is usually magenta, but can be white, pink or purple. The seeds are polyembryonic.Floyd, A.G., Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia, Inkata Press 1989, {{ISBN|0-909605-57-2}}
A population of Syzygium paniculatum occurs on the eastern side of Jervis Bay, with trees {{cvt|20-30|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, some with a diameter at breast height of {{cvt|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}.
Cultivation and consumption
It is commonly cultivated in eastern Australia and elsewhere. Well known as an edible wild fruit with a pleasantly sour apple-like flavour, it is eaten fresh or cooked into jams.{{cite web|title=Syzygium paniculatum|work=Bush foods of NSW|publisher=The Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust|url=http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/education/Resources/bush_foods/Syzygium_paniculatum|access-date=3 August 2013}}
The 1889 book 'The Useful Native Plants of Australia’ records that the synonymous Eugenia myrtifolia had common names including brush cherry and native myrtle. It also stated that "The red juice of the fruit of this tree is similar in its properties to that of red grapes. It contains free tartaric acid, cream of tartar, sugar, and red colouring matter very sensitive to the action of acids and alkalies. By fermentation it yields wine possessing a bouquet. The colouring matter, which is soluble in alcohol and ether-alcohol, but not in pure ether, is precipitated by lead-acetate, decolourised by reducing agents, and recovers its red colour on exposure to the air, just like litmus and the red colour of wine (De Luca and Ubaldini, in Watfs' Did., vi., ist Supp., 608.)."{{cite book | author=J. H. Maiden | year=1889 | title=The useful native plants of Australia : Including Tasmania 84 | publisher= Turner and Henderson, Sydney | url=https://primo-slnsw.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=SLNSW_ALMA21105097830002626&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=EEA&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US}}
Syzygium paniculatum is commonly confused with Syzygium australe, the brush cherry.{{NSW Flora Online|author=Wilson. Peter G. |genus=Syzygium |species=paniculatum }}
Gallery
Syzygium paniculatum, bloeiwyses, Tuks, b.jpg|flowers
Magenta lillypilly (3364752755).jpg|Fruit
Syzygium paniculatum.jpg|Berry and leaf detail
References
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External links
- {{Commons-inline}}
- {{Calflora}}
- {{PFAF|Syzygium paniculatum}}
- [http://farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/s-pan.html ASGAP: Syzygium paniculatum]
{{Taxonbar|from=Q159398}}
Category:Myrtales of Australia
Category:Vulnerable flora of Australia
Category:Flora of New South Wales
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