Changes

From Gardenology.org - Plant Encyclopedia and Gardening Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
2,174 bytes added ,  16:50, 23 June 2010
no edit summary
Line 28: Line 28:  
|image_width=240
 
|image_width=240
 
}}
 
}}
 +
'''''Syzygium luehmannii''''' is a medium sized coastal [[rainforest]] tree. Common names include '''Riberry''', '''Small Leaved Lilli Pilli''', '''Cherry Satinash''', '''Cherry Alder''', or '''Clove Lilli Pilli'''.
    +
The habitat is [[Australian]] riverine, [[littoral]], subtropical or tropical rainforest <ref> Floyd, A.G., ''Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia'', ISBN 0-909605-57-2 </ref>. It grows on [[volcanic]] soils or deep sandy soils between the [[Macleay River]] in [[New South Wales]] to near [[Cairns]] in tropical [[Queensland]]. It is commonly grown as an ornamental tree, and for its fruit, known as a Riberry.
 +
 +
Occasionally reaching 30 metres in height and a 90 cm in trunk diameter. The tree's crown is dense with small leaves, above a tall straight trunk. Large trees are buttressed at the base. The bark is red brown, light grey or pinkish grey with soft papery scales.
 +
 +
The small, glossy, lance-shaped leaves are pink/red when young. They are opposite, simple, entire, [[lanceolate]] to [[ovate]]. 4 to 5 cm long drawn out to a long prominent point. Leaf stalks 2 to 3 mm long.
 +
 +
Flowers form in November or December. They are in small [[panicles]] at the ends of branchlets, half the length of the leaves or less. The white or cream petals form in fours or fives, 1.5 mm long. Stamens 2 to 5 mm long.
 +
 +
The fruit matures from December to February, being a pear shaped red [[berry]], known as a Riberry, growing to 13 mm long, covering a single seed, 4 mm in diameter. Seed germination is unreliable, complete after 25 days, however cuttings strike readily. Fruit are eaten by [[Australasian Figbird]] and [[Emu]].
 +
 +
The tree commonly only reaches 7 metres in cultivation. The berry has a tart, cranberry-like  flavor, that has a hint of cloves. It has been popular as a gourmet [[bushfood]] since the early 1980’s, and is commercially cultivated on a small-scale basis.
 +
 +
The fruit is most commonly used to make a distinctively flavoured jam, and is also used in sauces, syrups and confectionery. The riberry plant is also very popular as a garden ornamental and street tree. It is easily maintained as a smaller tree by light pruning.
    
==Cultivation==
 
==Cultivation==

Navigation menu