Syzygium suborbiculare
Syzygium suborbiculare, the red bush apple, is a small understorey tree native to open forests and woodland of northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Syzygium suborbiculare | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Myrtales |
Family: | Myrtaceae |
Genus: | Syzygium |
Species: | S. suborbiculare |
Binomial name | |
Syzygium suborbiculare (Benth.) T.G.Hartley & L.M.Perry | |
The tree or shrub typically grows to a height of 4 to 20 metres (13 to 66 ft). It blooms between June and November producing white flowers.[1]
Leaves are smooth, thick, leathery, broad oval 7.2–19 cm long. Flowers are white with numerous stamens. The edible fruit is flattened-globular, fleshy, prominently ribbed, 3–7 cm long, with a large seed.[2]
It is found on flood plains and rocky sandstone hills in the Kimberley region of Western Australia where it grows in sandy soils.[1]
Uses
The fruit is eaten raw by Aboriginal people. The tree is also used medicinally, as firewood and as a nectar source for bees.
References
- "Syzygium suborbiculare". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.
- Brock, J., Top End Native Plants, 1988. ISBN 0-7316-0859-3