Syzygium paniculatum

Magenta Lilly Pilly
Conservation status
Vulnerable (EPBC Act)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Syzygium
Species:	S. paniculatum
Binomial name
Syzygium paniculatum Banks ex Gaertn.
Synonyms
Eugenia paniculata Gaertn. J.Britt.

The magenta lilly pilly (Syzygium paniculatum, syn. Eugenia paniculata), also known by the common name magenta cherry, is a broad dense bushy rainforest tree native to New South Wales. It grows to a height of 15 m with trunk diameter up to 35 cm. Leaves are 3-9 cm long, opposite, simple and slightly obovate, tapering at the leaf base. The leaves are dark glossy above, and paler below. White flowers are produced in clusters. The edible fruit is usually magenta, but can be white, pink or purple.^[1]

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.

It is commonly confused with Syzygium australe, brush cherry.

very large Syzygium paniculatum, with a trunk diameter measured at 88 cm, estimated height in excess of 30 metres, Illawarra, Australia

References

1. ^ Floyd, A.G., Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia, Inkata Press 1989, ISBN 0-909605-57-2

External links

• ASGAP: Syzygium paniculatum