Red Phoebe, Fish-scale bush, Chinese myrtle tree
Syzygium buxifolium

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 1-3 m high. It is compact and has dark green leaves. The young branches are 4 angled. The leaves are opposite, leathery and broadly oval. They are 2-4 cm long by 2 cm wide. The base is wedge shaped. The flowers are small and white. They are in groups in the axils of leaves and at the ends of branches. They do not have a leaf stalk. The fruit are round and shiny black when ripe. They are 8-12 mm across. There is one seed.

The roots and leaves have been used in medicine. The leaves have antibacterial activity.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It is native to Hong Kong and China. It grows in open forest and in mountains. It grows from 200-1,200 m above sea level. It grows in areas with a temperature about 17°C. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Indonesia, SE Asia, Japan, Philippines, SE Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten. They are also used for making wine.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

In China it flowers in May and June and fruits in September and October.

Its other names

Local names

Pohon jambu cina

Synonyms

Eugenia microphylla Abel; Eugenia pyxophylla Hance; Eugenia sinensis Hemsl.; Eugenia somae Hayata; Syzygium somae (Hayata) Mori;