Syzygium antisepticum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows 7 m high but can be 34 m tall. The leaves are simple and opposite. They are narrowly oval. They are 7-13 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. Young leaves can be pale red. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are oval and 6 mm long by 5 mm wide. They are white.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows near the coast and up to 1,800 m above sea level. It grows in forest and along river banks just behind the sand dunes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, SE Asia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand

How it is used for food

The young leaves are eaten raw. They are sour. The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds or by suckers or stem cuttings.

In NE Thailand ripe fruit are available April to May.

Its other names

Local names

Aeba, Gelam tikas, Jambi hutan, Kok samek, Maak mek, Met chun, Obah, Pakmak, Phak mek, Samed, Samet chun

Synonyms

Acmena grata (Wight) Walp.; Caryophyllus antisepticus Blume; Eugenia grata Wight; Jambos aromatica (Blume) Miq.; Syzygium gratum (Wight) S. N. Mitra; and others