Swamp maire
Syzygium maire

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

An evergreen tree. It grows 16 m tall. In wetlands it develops breathing roots. The bark is pale and smooth. The leaves are oval and pointed. They are 4-5 cm long by 1.5 cm wide. The flowers are creamy-white. They are 1 cm wide. The flowers are in clusters. The fruit are bright red and fleshy. They are 3 cm long. There is one seed.

The fruit are rich in antioxidants.

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in wetlands. It can also grow in reasonably dry situations. It can be near streams and in higher altitude cloud forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

New Zealand

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked.

The fruit are eaten especially by children.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Seeds need to be in moist soil.

The flowers develop in autumn and the fruit in late winter. The flowers can occur from November to July and fruit from January to December.

Its other names

Local names

Maire tawake

Synonyms

Eugenia maire A. Cunn.;