Mission beach satinash
Syzygium alliiligneum
Family: Myrtaceae
What it is like
A tree up to 15-30 m tall. It develops a round crown. The bark is red and papery. The leaves are broad oval shaped and stiff. They are 10-12 cm long by 5 cm wide. On the upper surface the leaves are dark green and shiny but underneath they are paler and more dull. Young leaves are red. The flowers are cream and in clusters on the ends of branches. The fruit are bright red and fleshy. They are 4-5 cm across. The fruit have a crown at the end and are often somewhat square in shape. The fruit are edible. There is one seed inside. The seed is 2 cm across. The inner bark has concentric rings like an onion.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is a tropical rainforest species. It occurs in north east Queensland in Australia. It grows in the very wet lowland rainforest. It grows from sea level up to 700 m altitude. Trees need plenty of moisture. They prefer sandy soils.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin), SE Asia, Singapore
How it is used for food
The fruit is eaten raw.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Trees are grown from fresh seed.
Flowers occur from February to March and the fruit are ripe July to October.
Its other names
Local names
Onionwood, Puddenwood