Eugenia paniculata Banks =Syzgium paniculatum Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family) Australia Australian Bush-Cherry

                                          April Photo

Plant Characteristics: Glabrous tree to 35 m. or more, often grown as a hedge and kept clipped, not continuous blooming; lvs. oblong-lanceolate, 4-7 cm. long, acuminate, cuneate at base, short petioled, tinged with red when young; fls. white, 1.2-2.5 cm. across, in branching axillary panicles or terminal on ends of short branchlets and showing beyond foliage, the peduncles 3-5 or more fld.; fr. ovoid, rose purple, about 1.8 cm. in diam.                       

Habitat: Escape from cultivation in mild, nearly frost free areas.  Will not stand heavy frost, foliage burns at 25-26 degrees F.  Thrives in well drained soil with full sun but will tolerate shade.  (Sunset Editors 480).

Name: Euge-nia, after Prince Eugene of Savoy, 1663-1736, patron of botany and horticulture.  (Bailey 730).  Paniculatus, paniculate.  (Bailey 19).                                         

General: Rare in the study area, having been found only once and this in a small clearing, surrounded by willows and Brazilian pepper, in the marsh area below Eastbluff North . My specimen is a small tree, about 5 m. tall, narrow in diameter. The lower branches will be in the sun for only a few minutes each day, forcing the tree to reach for light.  (my comments).       Fruit sometimes used in jelly.  About 600 species in the genus. ( Bailey 730).

Text Ref: Bailey 730; Sunset Editors, New Western Garden Book 1984, 480.

Photo Ref: Mar-April 99 #5A,7A,10A; July 01 #E; April 04 #9A.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

First Found:  May 1999

Computer Ref: Plant Data 513.

Plant specimen donated to UC Riverside in 2004. 

Last edit 8/6/05.

                 March Photo                                           August Photo