Powderpuff lilly-pilly, Weeping syzygium
Syzygium wilsonii

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows to 3-6 m tall. It spreads 2-3.5 m wide. It has a spreading habit often with branches that hang down. The leaves are stiff and narrow. They are 18 cm long by 5 cm wide. The leaves are dark green and dull on the upper surface and paler underneath. There are 2 veins near the edge of the leaves that are more clearly seen under the leaf. New leaves are bright red. The flowers occur in dense clusters and are bright red. They hang from the ends of small branches. The fruit are oval and cream. They are about 1.5 cm across. The fruit are edible. There is one seed inside. It is about 5-9 mm across.

Where it is found

It grows in warm temperate regions but will grow in the tropics and subtropics. It grows naturally in north east Queensland in Australia. It occurs in lowland rainforest. Plants cannot tolerate drying out especially when young. It does best in light shade. In Adelaide Botanical Gardens hot house. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed or cuttings.

It Australia the fruit get ripe from October to January.

Its other names

Local names

Pom-pom bush

Synonyms

Eugenia subopposita F. M. Bailey; Eugenia wilsonii F. Muell.; Syzygium wilsonii subsp. wilsonii;