Black kelat tree, Lao tree
Syzygium syzygioides

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 30 m tall. The trunk us slightly fluted with short buttresses. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are 5-9 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. The leaves are leathery. The young leaves are reddish-cream. The twigs are reddish and flaky. The flowers are white. They are in groups near the ends of branches. The fruit are small and white. They turn red when ripe. They are up to 1.2 cm across.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forest and near streams in the lowland. It grows up to 500 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Cambodia, Cuba, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten along with other vegetables, herbs and pork. The ripe fruit is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In Laos flowering occurs in February.

Its other names

Local names

Panijam, Pring bay, Thabye-pauk-pauk

Synonyms

Calyptranthus caryophylifolia Blume; ? Eugenia pseudosyzygioides M. R. Hend.; Eugenia syzygioides (Miq.) M. R. Hend.; Jambosa syzygioides Miq.; Syzygium nelitricarpium Tiejsm. & Binnend.;