Syzygium luehmannii

taxobox
name = "Syzygium luehmannii"


regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Eudicots
unranked_ordo = Rosids
ordo = Myrtales
familia = Myrtaceae
genus = "Syzygium"
species = "S. luehmannii"
binomial = "Syzygium luehmannii"
binomial_authority = (F.Muell.) L.A.S.Johnson|

"Syzygium luehmannii", also known as riberry, small leaved lilly pilly, cherry satinash, cherry alder, or clove lilli pilli, is a tree species pesaendemic to Australian riverine, littoral and subtropical rainforest [ Floyd, A.G., "Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia", ISBN 0-909605-57-2 ] . It is grown for its small pear-shaped fruits known as "riberries".

The tree can grow to 30 metres in height in the rainforest, but commonly only reaches 7 metres in cultivation. The small, glossy, lance-shaped leaves are pink/red when they are young. A cream coloured flower is followed by bunches of pink to red pear-shaped berries about 13 mm long.

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.

ee also

* Syzygium
* Bushfood

References

* Bruneteau, Jean-Paul, "Tukka, Real Australian Food", ISBN 0-207-18966-8.
* Floyd, A.G., "Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern Australia", ISBN 0-909605-57-2.
* Cherikoff, Vic, "The Bushfood Handbook", ISBN 0-7316-6904-5.
* Kersh, Jennice and Raymond, "Edna's Table", ISBN 0-7336-0539-7.
* Low, Tim, "Wild Food Plants of Australia", ISBN 0-207-14383-8.

External links

* CSIRO plant profiles [http://www.cse.csiro.au/research/nativefoods/crops/riberry.htm]