Forest water berry, Bush waterwood
Syzygium gerrardii

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows up to 25 m tall. The trunk is often very white or silver and can be 2.5 m across. The leaves grow in opposite pairs. The leaf stalk has a groove along it. The leaves are 3.5-9 cm long by 1.3-5 cm wide. They are egg shaped and the tip tapers to a point. The edge of the leaves are rolled inwards and wavy. The midrib is sunken on the upper leaf surface and raised underneath the leaf. There are up to 20 pairs of very fine side veins. Leaves are dark green and shiny above and paler underneath. The flowers are white or with a purple tinge. They occur in clusters in the angles of leaves or at the ends of branches. The fruit are 1.9 cm long and red when ripe. They have a crown at the top. They are juicy. The fruit is edible.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in South Africa. It grows in a range of different environments. Often they are in mist forests or near water.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten as a snack.

The fruit are not very tasty.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It is grown from fresh seed.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Boswaterbessie, Forest umdoni, Mupone, Muphone

Synonyms

Acmena gerrardii Harv. ex Hook.f.; Eugenia gerrardii (Harv. ex Hoof.f.) Sim;