Trumpet satinash, Watergum myrtle
Syzygium claviflorum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 35 m high. The trunk is 60 cm across. It has small buttresses. The bark is pale whitish grey. It is smooth or finely cracked. It sometimes peels in small patches. The leaves are thinly leathery. They are oval or sword shaped. They are 5.5-22 cm long by 2-8.5 cm wide. They are broadest in the middle. The edges roll in slightly. They taper to the base. There are 12-25 (-37) pairs of secondary veins. The leaf stalk is 2-8.5 mm long by 2 mm wide. The flowering arrangement is below the leaves or in the axils of leaves. The flowers do not have stalks. The petals are white. The fruit is reddish to purple. They vary in shape. They can be 2 cm long. The tip is deeply hollowed. The outer layer is pulpy and juicy.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland rainforest beside streams and on rocky ground. It grows up to 1200 m altitude in Indonesia. In Sikkim it grows between 500-1,000 m above sea level. It grows at 1350 m altitude in Yunnan in China. It grows in subtropical broadleaved evergreen forest. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 840 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand

How it is used for food

The fruit are preserved as a pickle. They are acidic. The ripe fruit are also eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In NE India plants flower and fruit March to May.

Its other names

Local names

Bangkoh, Chambu, Gelam, Grey satinash, Harejamun, Kauliakong, Kelat merah, Lamba nali jam, Lenceh, Luat, Obah, Pichil-i-mim, Pohon jambu gelam, Sedong, Thabye-kywe-gaung, Thabye-pin-bwa, Thabye-yit-pauk, Ubah, Wa hin

Synonyms

Acmena claviflora (Roxb.) Walp.; Acmena leptantha (Wight) Walp.; Acmenosperma claviflorum (Roxb.) Kausel; Caryophyllus speciosus Blume ex Miq.; Eugenia clavata (Korth.) Merr.; Eugenia claviflorum Roxb.; Eugenia leptantha Wight; Eugenia rhododendrifolia Miq.; Eugenia rhododendrifolia Miq. forma longifolia Miq.; Eugenia ruminata Koord. & Valet.; Jambosa borneensis Miq.; Jambosa clavata Korth.; Myrtus clavata Korth. ex Miq.; Syzygium clavatum (Korth.) Merr. & Perry; Syzygium excavatum Wall.; Syzygium leptanthum (Wight) Niedenzu; Syzygium longiflorum Wall.; Syzygium rhododendrifolium (Miq.) Masamune; Syzygium suavissimum Wall.;