View source for Syzygium paniculatum

{{Short description|Species of tree}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Syzygium paniculatum 88 cm trunk diameter.JPG
| image_caption = Large specimen, trunk diameter 88 cm, estimated height 30 m, [[Illawarra]], Australia
| status = VU
|status_system = EPBC
| status_ref =
| genus = Syzygium
| species = paniculatum
| authority = [[Joseph Gaertner|Gaertn.]]<ref name=APNI>{{APNI | name =''Syzygium paniculatum'' | id =10292 | access-date = 3 August 2013 }}</ref>
| synonyms = 
*''Eugenia paniculata'' <small>[[Joseph Gaertner|Gaertn.]] J.Britt.</small> nom. illeg.
* ''Eugenia rheedioides'' Standl. & Steyerm.
|synonyms_ref = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-200058|title=The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species |access-date = 17 January 2014}}</ref>
}}

'''''Syzygium paniculatum''''', the '''magenta lilly pilly''' or '''magenta cherry''', is a [[species]] of [[flowering plant]] in the myrtle [[family (botany)|family]] Myrtaceae, [[native species|native]] to [[New South Wales]], Australia. A broad dense bushy [[rainforest]] tree, in cultivation it grows to a height of {{convert|15 |m|ft|abbr=on}} with a trunk diameter up to {{convert|35|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The largest known example is at [[Ourimbah Creek]], {{convert|35|m|ft|abbr=on}} metres tall.<ref name="Luke">Luke Foster, New South Wales Government - Threatened Species Officer.</ref> The leaves are {{convert|3-9|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, opposite, simple and slightly obovate, tapering at the leaf base. They are dark glossy green above, and paler below. White flowers are produced in clusters. The edible fruit is usually magenta, but can be white, pink or purple. The seeds are [[Polyembryony|polyembryonic]].<ref>Floyd, A.G., ''Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia'', Inkata Press 1989, {{ISBN|0-909605-57-2}}</ref>

A population of ''Syzygium paniculatum'' occurs on the eastern side of [[Jervis Bay]], with trees {{cvt|20-30|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, some with a diameter at breast height of {{cvt|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Luke"/> 

==Cultivation and consumption==
It is commonly cultivated in eastern Australia and elsewhere. Well known as an edible wild fruit with a pleasantly sour apple-like flavour, it is eaten fresh or cooked into jams.<ref name="bush foods">{{cite web|title=Syzygium paniculatum|work=Bush foods of NSW|publisher=The Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain Trust|url=http://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/education/Resources/bush_foods/Syzygium_paniculatum|access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref>

The 1889 book 'The Useful Native Plants of Australia’ records that the [[synonym (taxonomy)|synonymous]] ''Eugenia myrtifolia'' had common names including brush cherry and native myrtle. It also stated that "The red juice of the fruit of this tree is similar in its properties to that of red grapes. It contains free tartaric acid, cream of tartar, sugar, and red colouring matter very sensitive to the action of acids and alkalies. By fermentation it yields wine possessing a bouquet. The colouring matter, which is soluble in alcohol and ether-alcohol, but not in pure ether, is precipitated by lead-acetate, decolourised by reducing agents, and recovers its red colour on exposure to the air, just like litmus and the red colour of wine (De Luca and Ubaldini, in Watfs' Did., vi., ist Supp., 608.)."<ref>{{cite book | author=J. H. Maiden | year=1889 | title=The useful native plants of Australia : Including Tasmania 84 | publisher= Turner and Henderson, Sydney | url=https://primo-slnsw.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=SLNSW_ALMA21105097830002626&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=EEA&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US}}</ref>

''Syzygium paniculatum'' is commonly confused with ''[[Syzygium australe]]'', the brush cherry.<ref name=NSW>{{NSW Flora Online|author=Wilson. Peter G. |genus=Syzygium |species=paniculatum }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Syzygium paniculatum, bloeiwyses, Tuks, b.jpg|flowers
Magenta lillypilly (3364752755).jpg|Fruit
Syzygium paniculatum.jpg|Berry and leaf detail
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons-inline}}
* {{Calflora}}
* {{PFAF|Syzygium paniculatum}}
* [http://farrer.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/s-pan.html ASGAP: ''Syzygium paniculatum'']

{{Taxonbar|from=Q159398}}

[[Category:Syzygium|paniculatum]]
[[Category:Myrtales of Australia]]
[[Category:Trees of Australia]]
[[Category:Australian cuisine]]
[[Category:Vulnerable flora of Australia]]
[[Category:Flora of New South Wales]]

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