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Syzygium luehmannii
Syzygium luehmannii is a medium sized coastal rainforest tree native to Australia. Common names include Riberry, Small Leaved Lilli Pilli, Cherry Satinash, Cherry Alder, or Clove Lilli Pilli. It is commonly grown as an ornamental tree, and for its fruit, known as a Riberry. 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 is eaten by Australasian Figbird and Emu.... and in my backyard it is a favourite of Black Flying Foxes, and both Brushtail and Ringtail Possums.
The habitat is Australian riverine, littoral, subtropical or tropical rainforest. It grows on volcanic soils or deep sandy soils between the Macleay River in NSW to near Cairns in tropical QLD. This one is growing quite happily in my backyard.
This year my Lilli Pilli has fruited early, most likely because of all the dry weather we've been having. Possums and bats have been having a huge time eating its fruit. PS: Fifty-two species of Syzygium are found in Australia, but from my image searches S. luehmannii is the closest match I could find. This particular species of Lilli Pilli has edible fruit fit for human consumption - http://www.davidmcminn.com/ngc/pages/rib...
Spotted on Nov 18, 2013
Submitted on Nov 23, 2013
2 Comments
I've planted a couple more in the yard, Rosa. They'll take a few years to grow, but in the mean time this one is doing well. This was the first time it fruited up so heavily, and the wildlife loved it :-)
It certainly is a beautiful tree and it's great to hear about all the species coming for the food! If I ever live in Australia I will make sure to have Lilli Pillis in my backyard. :)