''Syzygium moorei'' is a rare sub tropical

rainforest Rainforests are characterized by a closed and continuous tree canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforest can be classified as tropical rainforest or temperate rainfores ...

tree, growing on volcanic soils in the Mount Warning area of north east New South Wales and south east Queensland,

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

. Common names include coolamon, watermelon tree, durobby and robby; it is also called "rose apple" but this can refer to many species of '' Syzygium''.

Description

''Syzgyium moorei'' is a canopy tree of sub tropical rainforest, reaching 40 metres in height, and a trunk of 60 centimetres wide. The bark is a grey/fawn/reddish colour. The tree is not buttressed at the base; some larger specimens are flanged at the base. The leaves are unusual for a New South Wales myrtle, being large, thick and heavy, 8 to 20 cm long with a short blunt point at the tip. Syzygium moorei fruit1

Flowers and fruit

An unusual factor of this tree is

cauliflory Cauliflory is a botanical term referring to plants that flower and fruit from their main stems or woody trunks, rather than from new growth and shoots. This can allow trees to be pollinated or have their seeds dispersed by animals that climb o ...

, where flower and fruit form on the main stems or woody trunks rather than from new growth and shoots. This is mostly a tropical feature, and unusual in rainforest trees so far south in New South Wales. In November to February, pink or orange flowers form in dense

panicles A panicle is a much-branched inflorescence. (softcover ). Some authors distinguish it from a compound spike inflorescence, by requiring that the flowers (and fruit) be pedicellate (having a single stem per flower). The branches of a panicle are o ...

on mature branches. The

berry A berry is a small, pulpy, and often edible fruit. Typically, berries are juicy, rounded, brightly colored, sweet, sour or tart, and do not have a stone or pit, although many pips or seeds may be present. Common examples are strawberries, raspb ...

is white or pale green and up to 6 cm in diameter, maturing around Easter time. The fruit is not pleasant to eat raw, but is an excellent ingredient in mixed preserves. The large seed germinates well after many months. Most seedlings appear in November and December.

Location

A few mature specimens can still be seen in the farmland areas in their former range near streams at low altitude. This tree is in many botanic gardens in

. The pink flowers and beautiful form make it a popular park and garden tree; there is a superb specimen at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. It's also seen as a street tree in Murwillumbah, Brisbane and other nearby localities. Image:Syzygium moorei - flowers.jpg, Pink flowers at New Year Image:Syzygium moorei - flowers close up.jpg, Close up of

Image:Syzygium moorei flowers and leaves.JPG, Flowers & foliage Image:Syzygium moorei fruit on tree.jpg, Fruit photographed on Easter Sunday Image:Syzygium moorei Sydney trunk.JPG, Trunk Image:Syzygium moorei Sydney.JPG, In Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

References

* Floyd, Alexander G., Australian Rainforests in New South Wales Volume 2 – 1990 * PlantNET – The Plant Information Network System of Botanic Gardens Trust, Sydney, Australia – 21 December 2008. http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au {{Taxonbar, from=Q7663996 Myrtales of Australia Trees of Australia Vulnerable flora of Australia Vulnerable biota of Queensland Flora of New South Wales Flora of Queensland Ornamental trees moorei Taxa named by Ferdinand von Mueller