White apple, Bumpy satinash
Syzygium cormiflorum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A medium sized tree. It grows up to 10 m tall. It spreads 3-5 m across. It has a rounded crown of leaves. The leaves are large and oval. They are 20 cm long by 11 cm wide and thin textured. The leaves are dark green and shiny. The veins are easy to see. Young leaves are purple. The flowers are cream coloured. They occur in large clusters either on the trunk or on leafless branches. Two different forms occur. The fruit can be white or pink. It becomes more pink when fruit is in a more exposed position. The fruit is up to 6-7 cm across. The fruit is edible. The fruit contains one large round seed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in warm temperate regions but can grow in the tropics and subtropics. It occurs in north east Queensland in Australia. It grows from the coast to 1200 m above sea level. It is best to provide shade for young plants. It can grow in full sun or light shade. They do not tolerate drought. It needs well drained soil. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

The plant is grown from fresh seed. Seeds germinate quickly if they are fresh.

Seedlings are fairly slow growing. Flowering and fruiting is irregular. Fruit are often ripe about September to January. Shelter from frost is important for young plants.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Eugenia cormiflora F. Muell.; Eugenia hislopii F. M. Bailey;