Aifua
Syzygium clusiifolium

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tree up to 4-8 m high. It can be taller. An attractive shady tree. The bark is grey and scaly. The leaves are oval and grow opposite each other along the stem. The leaves are up to 15 cm long and 8 cm wide. Many narrow veins run across the leaf joining near the edge. The leaf stalk is about 1 cm long. It has a groove along its length. Flowers are small but occur in large open clusters. They are produced on the trunk and larger branches. The fruit is oval and about 1 cm long. It is dark purple. It is edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in the Pacific islands. It occurs in lowland areas. It grows from sea level to 200 m altitude. It occurs on Rennell Island in the Solomon Islands.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Fiji, Niue, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, Wallis & Futuna

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten raw.

The small fruit are eaten mainly by children. It is a cultivated plant.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In Vanuatu plants flower in September to December and fruit in February.

Its other names

Local names

Asi vai, Asi vao, Fekika vao, Kafika, Naavakhsisiel, Neepau, Nonu, Qao, Sivirimaba, Taangie, Tariu

Synonyms

Eugenia clusiaefolium A. Gray; Syzygium clusiaefolium (A. Gray) C. Mueller; Syzygium neepau Guillaumin;