BLUE LILLY PILLY

(Syzygium oleosum)

 

Family: MYRTACEAE

Habit: Small tree, 3 - 12m tall.

Habitat: Rainforests and coastal scrubs, from NE Queensland to Port Kembla in NSW.

Identifying Features:

Leaves: Glossy dark green, 4 - 10cm long with numerous distinct oil dots.

Flower: White, numerous stamens, appearing in summer.

Fruit: Pale to dark blue, 1 - 2cm wide with a solitary seed, ripening mainly in winter and spring.

Confusing Species: Magenta Lilly Pilly (Syzygium paniculatum) which has less oil dots on the leaves and magenta coloured fruit and (Syzygium johnsonii) from Nth Queensland which has similar coloured fruit but sparse oil dots on the leaves.

Aboriginal Use: Aboriginals ate the crisp juicy fruits, which have an aromatic hint of lavender.

 

Photographed at Patonga Creek, NSW             © ADRIAN NOTMAN

 

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