Lilly Pilly tree, Creek Lillypilly
Syzygium smithii

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 10-20 m high and spreads 5-15 m across. The bark is brown and scaly. The younger twigs are square in cross section. Leaf shape and size vary. The leaves are 2-17 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are oval shaped and dark green and shiny. They are drawn out to a long point. Flushes of young growth are often pinkish. The flowers are small and greenish. They occur on a much branched flower stalk at the ends of small branches. There are many flowers and these flowers occur all over the tree. The fruit berry is 1-1.5 cm across. It is white or pink and fleshy. The fruit has a characteristic depressed disk at the tip. The fruit have an aroma. There is one seed inside. The seed is 0.9-1.3 mm across. The fruit are edible.

There are 15 Acmena species. They occur in tropical Asia and Australia. It is rich in folates.

Where it is found

It can grow from the tropics to temperate regions. Trees in the tropics are larger. It can tolerate a wide range of soil types. It can grow in shade or full sunlight. It can grow in clay soils but will not tolerate water-logging. It responds to watering in the dry season. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Hobart Botanical gardens. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Brazil, South America, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The flesh of the fruit is eaten raw. They can also be used for jams and jellies.

Edible parts

Fruit, vegetable

How it is grown

Selected types can be maintained by vegetative propagation. This is done by taking semi-hardwood stem cuttings. Using bottom heat and mist helps the cuttings to form roots and strike. Cuttings can be grafted onto seedlings. Plants can be grown from seed. It must be sown while fresh. Seeds germinate in 3-8 weeks.

Fruit ripen May to August. (May to October) The quality of fruit varies considerably and selection needs to be used to improve them.

Its other names

Local names

Acmena, Jambinho-rosa

Synonyms

Acmena elliptica G. Don ex Steud.; Acmena elliptica G. Benn.; Acmena floribunda var. elliptica A. Cunn. ex DC.; Acmena kingii G. Don; Acmena pendula G. Benn.; Acmena smithii (Poir.) Merr. & L. M. Perry; Acmena smithii var. minor (Maiden) Merr. & L. M. Perry; Eugenia elliptica Sm. [Illegitimate]; Eugenia smithii Poir.; Eugenia smithii var. coriacea Domin; Eugenia smithii var. minor Maiden; Lomastelma elliptica Raf.; Lomastelma smithii (Poir.) J. H. Willis Myrtus smithii (Poir.) Spreng.; Syzygium brachynemum G. Muell.;