Syzygium alatum
(Lauterb.) Diels
Myrtaceae
Aphanomyrtus alata Lauterb.
Syzygium vaccinioides Merr. & L.M.Perry
Common Name:
General Information
Syzygium alatum can be a shrub up to 2.5 metres tall or a tree that can reach up to 20 metres. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 30cm in diameter, free of branches for up to 10 metres and free of buttresses[
388- Title
- Guide to the Trees of Papua New Guinea
- Publication
-
- Author
- Conn. B.J. & Damas. K.Q.
- Website
- http://www.pngplants.org/PNGtrees/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An Internet site giving good descriptions of the trees of Papua New Guinea.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, which is occasionally traded.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
388- Title
- Guide to the Trees of Papua New Guinea
- Publication
-
- Author
- Conn. B.J. & Damas. K.Q.
- Website
- http://www.pngplants.org/PNGtrees/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An Internet site giving good descriptions of the trees of Papua New Guinea.
Range
Australasia - New Guinea.
Habitat
A sub-canopy tree or shrub in upper montane rain forests and cloud forests, at elevations from 2,700 - 3,560 metres[
911- Title
- Journal of the Arnold Arboretum Vol. 54
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Massachusets
- Year
- 1973
- ISBN
- 0004-2625
- Description
- A botanical magazine, it includes a provisional key and enumeration of the genus Syzygium in New Guinea. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Tree |
| Height | 12.00 m |
| Pollinators | Bees, Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
We have no specific information on edibility for the fruit of this species, but the fruits of many members of this genus are edible[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
A structural timber
We do not have any more specific information for the wood of this species, but the various species of Syzygium tend to have somewhat similar timber. The general description of syzygium timber is as follows:-
The heartwood is a golden brown, greyish brown or brown, with pink or purplish glints; it is not clearly demarcated from the 1 - 4cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is fine; the grain slightly interlocked, sometimes wavy or irregular; there are resin deposits. The wood is heavy; moderately hard; somewhat durable, being moderately resistant to fungi and termites, but susceptible to dry wood borers. It seasons slowly, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It works well with ordinary tools, nailing and screwing are good so long as the wood is pre-bored; gluing is correct. The wood is used for musical instruments, tool handles, furniture components, ship building, heavy carpentry, flooring, joinery etc[
848- Title
- Tropix 7
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://tropix.cirad.fr/en
- Publisher
- CIRAD
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line guide to the timbers of 245 species of trees.
].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe.
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
