Bamaga satinash, River cherry
Syzygium tierneyanum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows to 10-25 m tall. It has a spreading dense crown. The bark is flaky. The young shoots are coppery brown. The leaves are sword shaped and thin. They are smooth and without hairs. They are 9-18 cm long by 6 cm wide. They are dark glossy green on the upper surface and paler underneath. The flowers are fairly large. They are cream and borne in small clusters in the axils of the older leaves. The fruit are round and 2 cm across. They are usually pink or red but may be white. The fruit are edible. There is one seed inside. It is 5-8 mm across. The cut seed is red-purple.

Where it is found

A tropical tree. It occurs in north east Queensland in Australia. It grows between sea level and 460 m altitude. Plants will grow in a range of soils. They need plenty of moisture. They occur in rainforests. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed.

In Australia the fruit are ripe in January and February.

Its other names

Local names

Kaisungaga

Synonyms

Eugenia theodori-wolfii Domin; Eugenia tierneyana F. Muell.; Jambosa tierneyana (F. Muell.) Diels; Syzygium floribundum Lauterb. & K. Schum.;