Syzygium aqueum (Burm.F.) Alston

A shrub or small tree. It mostly occurs as just a small shrub with branches near the base. It is 5-8 m tall. But it can occur as a tree up to 10-30 m high with a short crooked trunk. The trunk can be 70 cm across. The twigs are angular and carry simple opposite leaves. The leaves are somewhat narrow and pointed at both ends and they clasp the stem without a stalk. They are stiff. They are from 5 to 23 cm long by 6 cm wide. They have a heart shaped base. The leaves have many oil dots. The flowers are yellowish green. They are about 3 cm across. The flowers occur in many flowered clusters in the angles of leaves. They can also be on the ends of branches and on side shoots from stems. Flowers and fruit are slightly scented. The fruit is a fleshy yellow, white or red berry which is bell shaped. The fruit is about 3-5 cm across. It has a crater in the end with a long thread in it. The fruit is waxy and crisp and is often seedless. When seeds occur there can be one or more seeds. The fruit is edible. The fruit vary a lot and so presumably does the food composition.

A tropical plant. It occurs in many tropical countries. It suits the hot, wet tropical lowlands. In grows in lower montaine forest. It grows from sea level to 1600 metres near the equator. It grows well in wet places but needs a well drained soil. They can grow in poor alkaline soils. They are found in Samar in the Philippines growing in areas of shrub and forest at low and medium altitudes. Plants are sensitive to frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for drinks or syrup.

Trees can be grown fairly easily from cuttings but can also be grown by air layering or budding. Buds do not always continue to grow successfully. A spacing of 6-8 metres between trees is suitable. Where seeds occur, plants can be grown from fresh seed. Fruit from these plants can be more oily and acidic. It can be grown as a hedge with heavy pruning.