Common Name: Brush Cherry

General Information

Syzygium australe is an evergreen shrub or small tree with flaky bark. It can reach heights of 20 metres or more in the wild, but is more likely to be in the range of 8 - 10 metres with a short, crooked bole, especially in cultivation[, ]. The trunk is sometimes shortly buttressed and can be up to 60cm in diameter[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its wood and edible fruit, and is also often grown as an ornamental and as a hedge. It is sometimes grown in gardens for its edible fruit[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Australia - New South Wales, Queensland.

Habitat

Along the coast and adjacent plateaux[]. Besides streams in rainforest and open forest, also in dry scrub and seashore forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of warm temperate and subtropical climates, just reaching into tropical areas[]. It is tolerant of occasional, light frosts[].
Succeeds in full sun and in partial shade[]. Prefers rich soils and assured moisture[]. Succeeds in most soils[].
Several named forms have been developed for ornamental purposes, including some compact forms that grow no larger than 2 metres[].
Plants can produce fruit all year round[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or made into jellies[, ]. Crisp and juicy, it ranges in flavour from delicious to mediocre[]. Fragrant and spongy, the fruit is not particularly tasty[]. The pink to red, occasionally carmine, purple or even bluish-coloured, ovoid to pear-shaped fruit is around 15 - 23mm long with a large seed[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has a very dense habit of growth and responds well to trimming. It is often grown as a hedge, especially the cultivar 'Brilliant'[].

Other Uses

The reddish or yellowish wood is light, elastic and seasons well[]. It is used for making oars, boat building etc, and was traditionally used for making boomerangs and shields[].
We do not have any more specific information for the wood of this species, but the various species of Syzygium tend to have somewhat similar timber. The general description of syzygium timber is as follows:-
The heartwood is a golden brown, greyish brown or brown, with pink or purplish glints; it is not clearly demarcated from the 1 - 4cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is fine; the grain slightly interlocked, sometimes wavy or irregular; there are resin deposits. The wood is heavy; moderately hard; somewhat durable, being moderately resistant to fungi and termites, but susceptible to dry wood borers. It seasons slowly, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It works well with ordinary tools, nailing and screwing are good so long as the wood is pre-bored; gluing is correct. The wood is used for musical instruments, tool handles, furniture components, ship building, heavy carpentry, flooring, joinery etc[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown when fresh. Either the whole fruit can be sown, or the seed can be separated from the flesh[]. Germination usually takes 1 - 2 months but, especially if not sown fresh, may be slow and spasmodic[, ].
Cuttings of firm, current season's growth[].