Syzygium francisii
Encyclopedia
Syzygium francisii is a native Australian tree, common on the eastern sea board, between Morisset, New South Wales
(33° S) and Gladstone, Queensland
(23° S). Common names include Giant Water Gum, Rose Satinash, and Francis Water Gum. The habitat of Syzygium francisii is rainforest
on basaltic or fertile alluvial soils.
Several fine examples may be seen at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
. An often seen Syzygium francisii is at the start of the Mount Warning
walking track in far north eastern New South Wales
.
The bark is a scaly reddish light brown, with depressions caused by the shedding of scales of bark. Prominent buttresses form at the base.
Flowers: white in panicles. Flowers small, less than 6 mm long. Flowering period September to December. The fruit matures from January to April, being a flattened berry, a common shape of many Syzygium
, the colour is a pale blue, lilac to purple. The flesh is dry and unpalatable to taste.
Seed germination is relatively easy and quick, commencing at 20 days. Soaking of the seeds is recommended to drown insect larvae. Fruit are eaten by many types of rainforest birds.
Morisset, New South Wales
Morisset is a commercial centre and suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, and is located west of Lake Macquarie just off the Sydney-Newcastle Freeway.-History:...
(33° S) and Gladstone, Queensland
Gladstone, Queensland
- Education :Gladstone has several primary schools, three high schools, and one university campus, Central Queensland University. It is also home to CQIT Gladstone Campus.- Recreation :...
(23° S). Common names include Giant Water Gum, Rose Satinash, and Francis Water Gum. The habitat of Syzygium francisii is rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
on basaltic or fertile alluvial soils.
Several fine examples may be seen at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
The Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australia, are the most central of the three major botanical gardens open to the public in Sydney....
. An often seen Syzygium francisii is at the start of the Mount Warning
Mount Warning
Mount Warning is a mountain west-south-west of Murwillumbah, near the border with Queensland in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia...
walking track in far north eastern New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
Description
Syzygium francisii is a medium to large size tree, occasionally reaching 45 metres in height and a 150 cm in trunk diameter. The tree's crown appears dark and dense.The bark is a scaly reddish light brown, with depressions caused by the shedding of scales of bark. Prominent buttresses form at the base.
Leaves, Flowers and Fruit
The leaves are opposite, simple, entire, 4 to 8 cm long drawn out into a long point at the tip. The leaf margin is often wavy, new growth pinkish.Flowers: white in panicles. Flowers small, less than 6 mm long. Flowering period September to December. The fruit matures from January to April, being a flattened berry, a common shape of many Syzygium
Syzygium
Syzygium is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. The genus comprises about 1100 species, and has a native range that extends from Africa and Madagascar through southern Asia east through the Pacific...
, the colour is a pale blue, lilac to purple. The flesh is dry and unpalatable to taste.
Seed germination is relatively easy and quick, commencing at 20 days. Soaking of the seeds is recommended to drown insect larvae. Fruit are eaten by many types of rainforest birds.