Small-fruited waterberry
Syzygium masukuense

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 15 m tall. The bark is dark grey and scaly. The young stems are angular or winged. The leaves are simple and opposite. The leaf blades are 5-11 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. They are sword shaped and rounded or heart shaped at the base and taper to the tip. The flowers are white and occur as many in groups at the ends of branches or in the axils of leaves. The fruit is oval and fleshy. It is purple.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in mountain forests. It grows between 1,700-2,500 m above sea level. It can be in dry areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In Tanzania fruit are collected from April to June.

Its other names

Local names

Kasyamongo, Msambalawe, Mvengi, Mzambarau-mwitu, Mzuari

Synonyms

Eugenia masukuensis Baker;