Rainforest Cherry – Syzygium fibrosum

Author: Jan Sked

Published: Journal March 2017

Also known as Fibrous Satinash, this small tree grows as an understory tree in well-developed rainforest, particularly the drier, more seasonal rainforest and gallery forest, in Cape York Penin-sula, north-east Queensland and the Northern Territory. Also occurs in New Guinea and the Aru Islands.

However, it is quite at home in coastal areas as far south as Coffs Harbour. It grows 4-6 metres in height in cultivation with a dark grey trunk and neat, rounded crown of slender, pendulous branches clothed in glossy, dark green leaves, 6-10cm long. New growth is in pretty amber shades and appears throughout the year, making it an attractive foliage plant.

Loose clusters of fluffy white, cream or apricot blossoms form in the upper leaf axils and at the ends of the branchlets in winter and spring.

Fruits are bright red, fleshy, globular berries, about 2cm in diameter, which are edible with an acid flavour. They ripen in spring and summer. Interestingly, in my garden the fruits seldom contain seeds.

I have found these fruits make an excellent jam, one of the best I have tried. They can also be stewed as a tart filling or made into a syrup to go with ice cream.

This is a quick growing species requiring a well mulched soil. Does well in full sun or partial shade. Propagate from cuttings or fresh seed.