Syzygium alliiligneum

Syzygium alliiligneum
Syzygium alliiligneum near Mission Beach, Queensland
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Syzygium
Species:	S. alliiligneum
Binomial name
Syzygium alliiligneum Hyland, 1983

Syzygium alliiligneum is a species of plant in the Myrtaceae family. Common names include Mission Beach satinash, onionwood, puddenwood, bark in the wood, roly poly, and watergum.

Description

Large rainforest tree, up to 30 metres (98 ft) in height; grey bark, cream-colored flowers and abundant small (40 by 35 millimetres (1.6 by 1.4 in)) red fruit. Species name from the Latin allium, for "garlic", and lignum, for "wood". Cross-section shows onion-like rings of bark in the timber.

Distribution and Habitat

Endemic to North East Queensland, Australia, between Cape Tribulation and Tully, in lowland rainforest to 700m abl.

Ecology

Fallen fruits are eaten by the southern cassowary, and are also edible by humans.

• 
  Fruit on the forest floor
• 
  Fruit soaking at nursery

Further reading

• Harrington, M. G., and P. A. Gadek. "Molecular systematics of the Acmena alliance (Myrtaceae): phylogenetic analyses and evolutionary implications with reference to Australian taxa." Australian Systematic Botany 17.1 (2004): 63-72.
• Orchard, A. Cyclone Tolerant, and At Ella Bay. "Cassowary Specific Revegetation."
• Cooper, William T., and Wendy Cooper. Australian Rainforest Fruits: A Field Guide. CSIRO PUBLISHING, 2013.

External links

• "Syzygium alliiligneum" at the Encyclopedia of Life
• Syzygium alliiligneum Factsheet
• The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan entry