The genus Syzygium, as treated in the 'Flora of China'[] and the 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families', is treated in a wide sense to include the genus Cleistocalyx. If Cleistocalyx should ever be deemed a genuine genus, then this species will become Cleistocalyx operculatus and the subsp. Paniala[].

Common Name:

General Information

Syzygium nervosum is a many-branched, evergreen tree growing up to 15 metres tall[].
The bark is harvested from the wild as a local source of tannins and edible fruit. The plant is occasionally grown in the home gardens of Thailand for its edible fruit[]. (This report refers to Cleistocalyx operculatus paniala, which is treated here as a synonym[]). The plant is sometimes cultivated[]. This species cannot be regarded as a commercial species as the volume available for exploitation is too small, however, it can be used as structural timber[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines to Australia.

Habitat

Forests, sides of streams at elevations of 200 - 600 metres in southern China[]. Rain forest, usually around the margins of swamps or near perennial creeks; at elevations up to 150 metres in Australia[]. Common in grassland in India[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten raw, made into drinks and preserves[]. Juicy, the taste is sour and is astringent until fully ripe when it gains a strong odour[]. The fruit is a white-fleshed berry that bruises easily, it is ellipsoid, 15 - 18mm long and 9 - 12mm in diameter[306. The seed is rather big compared to the size of the fruit[]. The fruit is rich in vitamins and minerals necessary for health[].
The report above was for Cleistocalyx operculatus paniala - treated here as a synonym of Syzygium nervosum, but seen as distinct by some botanists[].

The leaves are used for making tea[]. They are often combined with the leaves of Sageretia theezans[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A useful tree for reclothing grassy banks in Sal and mixed forests[].

Other Uses

The bark is a source of tannins[].

The reddish-grey wood is hard. It can be used as structural timber. A useful wood, it is used in construction and for agricultural implements[, ].
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[].

Propagation

Seed - The seed loses viability quickly, and should be sown soon after harvesting[].

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