Syzygium tierneyanum

Syzygium tierneyanum, commonly known as river cherry, water cherry, or Bamaga satinash, is a tree in the family Myrtaceae which is native to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and north east Queensland. It often grows along watercourses where it is a facultative rheophyte.

Description

Syzygium tierneyanum is a medium sized spreading tree up to about in height with grey bark and an open crown. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs on the twigs and can reach up to long, with well-spaced lateral veins. Numerous small white flowers are produced in the summer and are followed by cream, pink or red edible berries about diameter.

Taxonomy

The river cherry was first described as Eugenia tierneyana in 1865 by Ferdinand von Mueller. It was reviewed and given its current binomial name in 1973 by Thomas Gordon Hartley and Lily May Perry.

Conservation

This species is listed by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science as least concern., it has not been assessed by the IUCN.

Cultivation

This species has been widely planted as a park and street tree in the city of Cairns, Queensland.