Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merrill & Perry

Tree with buttressed stem, flaky, pink-red bark, elliptic leaves to 15cm long, and groups of 4 cream to red-purple flowers held under the leaves, followed by edible, vitamin-rich pink fruits ripening to black, to 2cm across.  To 25m.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘[Jambosa malaccensis is a] Native of the Malay Islands.  Cultivated, also, in the West Indies on account of its esculent, but, as it is said, not very highly flavoured fruit: and hence we suspect, and also from a notion that the true Malaccensis had a white flower, De Candolle has considered the excellent figure given by Sir James Smith, from Mr. Hibbert’s collection, a new species, to which he gave the name of purpurascens.  Our very handsome plant, sent to Kew by Dr. Wallich from the Calcutta Garden, flowers in the stove in June.’ [BM t.4408/1848].  FS f.429/1849.

An important genus economically, Syzygium aromaticum is the source of cloves, which are the dried, unopened flowers.  Syzygium malaccense was introduced to Britain in 1768.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [T.588/1850].

Notes

Published Jan 17, 2010 - 03:33 PM | Last updated Mar 29, 2010 - 04:25 PM

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Figured are elliptic leaves and clumps of bright red, brush-like flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.4408, 1848.

Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merrill & Perry | BM t.4408/1848 | BHL

Family Myrtaceae
Category
Region of origin

Tropical Australia to Malaysia
Synonyms
  • Jambosa malaccensis DC.
  • Eugenia malaccensis L.
Common Name

Pomerac, Malay apple, Lilly-pilly
Name in the Camden Park Record

Jambosa Malaccensis 
Confidence level high