Creek satinash, Brush cherry
Syzygium australe

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tree up to 10 m tall and a spread of 5 m. In warm rainforest areas it can grow to 30 m tall. It has a dense crown of leaves. The stem is erect and stout with spreading branches. The leaves are rounded and 9 cm long by 3 cm wide. They are shiny green on the upper surface and paler underneath. New growth is bronze/red. The flowers are small, fluffy and white or cream. They are produced in small clusters in the angles of the upper leaves. The fruit can be rounded or oval. They are pink to dark red in colour and 2 cm across. The fruit are edible. They contain 1 seed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in coastal regions and rainforest areas in north and eastern Australia. They will grow on a variety of soils. They need to be well drained. It does best if soils are humus rich. They can be grown in temperate regions and can withstand moderate frost. It is damaged by drought. It can grow in slight shade or full sun. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Canada, Hawaii, North America, Pacific, Tasmania, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. It can be cooked. They can be used for jelly, syrups, preserves, or baked in pies and tarts. They are also used for drinks. The seeds can be roasted and eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

They are grown from seed. Seed are sown in autumn. Seed often germinate slowly and irregularly. Plants can also be grown from cuttings. Often a large number of the fruit are seedless.

In the southern hemisphere flowering is January to March and fruit are ripe from December to April. Plants produce in 3 years.

Its other names

Local names

Creek cherry, Creek lilly Pilly, Galangara,Scrub cherry, Native myrtle

Synonyms

Eugenia australis Wendl. ex Link; Eugenia myrtifolia Sims; Eugenia simmondsiae F. M. Bailey; Jambosa australis (Link) DC.; Myrtus australis (Link) Spreng.;