Syzygium hemilamprum (F.Muell.) Craven & Biffin subsp. hemilamprum

Craven, L.A., Biffin, E. & Ashton, P.S. (2006) Blumea 51(1): 137.

Cassowary Gum; Watergum; Eungella Gum; Broad Leaved Lilly Pilly; Broad Leaved Lillipilli; Blush Satinash; Satinash, Blush

A thin layer of orange, brown bark may be visible just outside the subrhytidome layer.

Oil dots visible with a lens if not visible to the naked eye. Leaf blades about 3.9-13.1 x 1.8-5.9 cm. Blade margin frequently recurved and midrib usually depressed on the upper surface.

Inflorescence exceeding the leaves, bracts deciduous, absent at anthesis. Calyx tube (hypanthium) gradually tapering into the pedicel, calyx tube (hypanthium) + pedicel about 2.5-5 mm long, calyx tube (hypanthium) about 1.5-4 mm diam., infundibuliform, dilated at the apex at anthesis; calyx lobes small and inconspicuous, rounded or apiculate, about 0.2 mm long. Petals variable and irregular in shape, +/- cohering, +/- orbicular, about 1-1.5 mm diam.; oil dots comparatively large, but often difficult to discern, up to six per petal. Staminal filaments variable, outer longer, about 0.5-2.5 mm long, glandular, anthers wider than long, about 0.2 x 0.4 mm, gland terminal, sometimes absent or inconspicuous. Placentas confined to the apex of each locule. Ovules pendulous, about 5-12 per locule. Style about 0.6-1.5 mm long, approximating the top of the calyx tube but substantially below the anthers.

Fruits globular or depressed globular, shallowly excavated at the apex, attaining about 11-17 mm diam.; calyx lobes scarcely discernible on mature fruit. Seed attaining about 7-13 mm diam. Cotyledons with a conspicuous, hard, tanniferous inclusion in the centre and branches ramifying through the cotyledons; cotyledonary stipules small and inconspicuous.

Cataphylls about 2-4 pairs, opposite or alternate. At the tenth leaf stage: seedling completely glabrous, leaf blade elliptic, apex acute, base attenuate; oil dots small, visible only with a lens. Seed germination time 79 days.

Occurs in NT, CYP, NEQ, CEQ and southwards as far as north-eastern New South Wales. Altitudinal range from sea level to 600 m. Grows in well developed lowland and upland rain forest in northern Australia. Also occurs in New Guinea.

This species becomes a large tree with a dense crown and contrasting white fruit are produced in profusion. Suitable for tropical plantings.

This subspecies produces millable logs and the timber is marketed as Blush Satinash, a useful structural timber. Wood specific gravity 0.72-0.83. Hyland (1983).