Armstrong’s satinash, Black Lillypilly
Syzygium armstrongii

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree up to 10-20 m tall. It has a widely spreading crown and a dense cover of leaves. The tree often has buttresses. The bark is slightly rough but clings tightly to the trunk. The young stems are almost round in cross section. The leaves are sword shaped and 6-14 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are shiny light green on the upper surface and paler underneath. They are thick and leathery and taper towards both ends. The midrib is distinct. The leaf stalk is 0.4-0.8 cm long. The flowers are about 1.5 cm wide, cream coloured and with many stamens about 1.5 cm long. The flowers occur in clusters about 5-7 cm across at the ends of branches. The fruit are round or somewhat flattened and 2 cm across. They are white but can become reddish when ripe. They have spongy wrinkled flesh with many oil glands. They are edible. The fruit have one seed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in the northern part of Australia. It is normally found near streams. They require well drained soil. It is often in the monsoon rainforest. As the ripe fruit floats in water this helps the plant get distributed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from fresh seed.

Plants are fast growing. In the southern Hemisphere the tree flowers in September to December and fruit are ripe December to February.

Its other names

Local names

Ankardadjirr, Den, Parntirringa

Synonyms

Eugenia armstrongii Benth. ;