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Syzygium luehmannii (F.Muell.) L.A.S.Johnson

Family Name:	Myrtaceae
Synonyms:	Syzygium leuhmannii (common misspelling)
Common Name:	Small-Leaved Lilly Pilly, Riberry, Cherry Satinash

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Fruit or Vegetable

Ornamental Leaves

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Tree (Medium (16m-30m), Small (6m-15m))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Maximum Height	10 m to 30 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	New Guinea, Australia
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone	Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Growth Form: Medium-sized evergreen tree with a dense, narrow crown and buttress roots. Although forest trees grow up to 30 m tall, cultivated plants typically reach a height of 5 - 10 m. Habitat: Occurs in subtropical rainforests. Also found near streams and rivers in scrubland. Trunk: Smooth branches are greyish to light brown. Foliage: Opposite, dark green leaves are elliptic to lanceolate with entire leaf margin (2 - 5 cm long). Young foliage is bright pink. Flowers: Cream-coloured to white flowers have 4 - 5 petals. Fruits: Bright pink to red, fleshy berries are approximately round to ellipsoid (1 - 1.5 cm long, 0.9 - 1.2 cm wide). Landscaping: This species produces attractive pinkish fruits and young leaves. It is often planted in home gardens and parks as a low hedge or topiary. Although it is a popular roadside tree in southeast Queensland (Australia), the abundant fruit production could cause a litter problem. It is also suitable for planting in large containers. This species is usually not attacked by psyllids which can cause lumps known as galls to form on leaves. Thus, it is a good substitute for Syzygium australe and its cultivars which are susceptible to gall-forming psyllids. Cultivation: This species grows best in fertile, well-draining soil that is kept moist. Plants may droop when grown in compacted or waterlogged soils. The crown is naturally narrow, but can be pruned to the desired shape. Propagation: Propagate by seed or stem cuttings. Etymology: The genus name "Syzygium" is derived from the Greek word "suzugos" which means joined. Syzygium used to be the name of a Jamaican plant species with paired leaves and branches.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable) Others: Food: Edible fruits have a clove- and cinnamon-like taste. They are added to ice cream, cakes, pies, jams and meat-based sauces.

Others - Plant Morphology

Growth Form: Medium-sized evergreen tree with a dense, narrow crown and buttress roots. Although forest trees grow up to 30 m tall, cultivated plants typically reach a height of 5 - 10 m. Habitat: Occurs in subtropical rainforests. Also found near streams and rivers in scrubland. Trunk: Smooth branches are greyish to light brown. Foliage: Opposite, dark green leaves are elliptic to lanceolate with entire leaf margin (2 - 5 cm long). Young foliage is bright pink. Flowers: Cream-coloured to white flowers have 4 - 5 petals. Fruits: Bright pink to red, fleshy berries are approximately round to ellipsoid (1 - 1.5 cm long, 0.9 - 1.2 cm wide). Landscaping: This species produces attractive pinkish fruits and young leaves. It is often planted in home gardens and parks as a low hedge or topiary. Although it is a popular roadside tree in southeast Queensland (Australia), the abundant fruit production could cause a litter problem. It is also suitable for planting in large containers. This species is usually not attacked by psyllids which can cause lumps known as galls to form on leaves. Thus, it is a good substitute for Syzygium australe and its cultivars which are susceptible to gall-forming psyllids. Cultivation: This species grows best in fertile, well-draining soil that is kept moist. Plants may droop when grown in compacted or waterlogged soils. The crown is naturally narrow, but can be pruned to the desired shape. Propagation: Propagate by seed or stem cuttings. Etymology: The genus name "Syzygium" is derived from the Greek word "suzugos" which means joined. Syzygium used to be the name of a Jamaican plant species with paired leaves and branches.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits
Food (Fruit or Vegetable)
Others: Food: Edible fruits have a clove- and cinnamon-like taste. They are added to ice cream, cakes, pies, jams and meat-based sauces.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Fruits
Landscape Uses	Swimming Poolside, Hedge / Screening, Topiary, Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping	Economic Garden

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method	Seed, Stem Cutting

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth, Glossy / Shiny

Prominent Young Flush Colour(s)	Pink
Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Opposite
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate, Elliptical)
Foliar Venation	Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Acute
Typical Foliar Area	Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm)	Woody
Root Type	Underground (Tap Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	Cream / Off-White, White
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Pink, Red
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Fleshy Fruit , Berry

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Master ID	30558
Species ID	4867
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.