Durobby, Robby, Rose apple
Syzygium moorei

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 8-25 m tall and spreads to 4-9 m across. The stem is erect with spreading branches. The crown has a dense mass of leaves. The bark is smooth. The leaves are long and oval and leathery. They are dark green and shiny but paler underneath. They are 8-23 cm long. The leaves are produced opposite each other along the stem. The flowers are cream, pink or red coloured. They occur in dense clusters beneath the leaves on old branches. The fruit are white but tinged with green. They are succulent. The fruit are 5-6.5 cm across and round but flattened. The fruit are edible.

Where it is found

It occurs naturally in New South Wales in Australia. It is a warm temperate rainforest species. It can grow in the tropics and subtropics. It can tolerate frost but is damaged by drought. It suits medium to heavy soils. It needs a protected, partly shaded position. It can tolerate full sun. They need a well drained soil and respond to fertiliser. It is a rare plant and endangered. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens hot house. Adelaide Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They can be made into jelly.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The plant can be grown from fresh seed. They can also be grown from cuttings. Trees do best if sheltered during their first few years.

Young plants are fairly slow growing. Flowering is in November to January and fruit are ripe June to August.

Its other names

Local names

Coolamon, Lilly Pilly, Powderpuff Lilly Pilly, Watermelon tree

Synonyms

Eugenia moorei F. Muell.;