Syzygium australe – Brush Cherry
- Hakan Sener
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Explore Syzygium australe (Brush Cherry) – its characteristics, habitat, cultivation, propagation, and functional uses and benefits.
Syzygium australe | Botanical Characteristics
Common Names: Brush Cherry, Scrub Cherry, Creek Lilly Pilly, Australian Brush Cherry
Family: Myrtaceae
Appearance: A dense evergreen tree or large shrub with glossy, dark green leaves, white fluffy flowers, and edible pink to red berries. Frequently pruned into hedges.
Type: Perennial
Evergreen / Deciduous: Evergreen
Layer: Shrub
Root System: Fibrous and shallow, spreading root system
Height: 3–10 meters
Width: 2–6 meters
Lifespan: Long-lived
Growth Rate: Fast
Fertility: Self-fertile
Flowers: Hermaphroditic
Pollinator: Attracts bees and other insects
Toxicity: Not considered toxic
Syzygium australe | Habitat and Cultivation
Range
Native Range: Eastern Australia (New South Wales and Queensland)
Companionship: Often grows in subtropical rainforests, along with tree ferns, figs, and lilly pillies
Invasive Range: Not widely reported as invasive
USDA Hardiness Zone: 9–11
Minimum Chill Hours Required: Not required
Resistance/Tolerance
Poor Soil: Moderate tolerance
Drought: Moderate tolerance once established
Shade: High tolerance – grows well in partial shade
Flood: Moderate tolerance
Wind: High tolerance
Maritime: Moderate tolerance
Air Pollution: High tolerance
Fire: Low tolerance
Thriving Conditions
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Soil Moisture: Prefers moist, well-drained soil
Soil Type: Adaptable – grows in loam, clay, and sandy soils
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.5)
Propagation
Seeds: Can be grown from fresh seed, though germination can be slow
Cuttings: Commonly propagated from semi-hardwood cuttings for uniform hedges
Syzygium australe | Functional Uses and Benefits
Edible: The berries are edible raw or cooked, with a mild, sweet taste
Medicinal: Limited traditional medicinal use – mostly for food
Cosmetics: Sometimes used in natural skin care for astringent properties
Animal Feed: Fruits are consumed by birds and wildlife
Fiber: Not used for fiber
Timber: Occasionally used for small woodcraft or tools
Firewood: Can be used for firewood but not a primary source
Wind Break: Effective as a windbreak hedge or screen
Fence: Excellent as a living fence or privacy barrier
Cover Crop: Not used as a cover crop
Mulch: Leaves can be used as mulch when composted
Nitrogen Fixer: No
Dynamic Accumulator: No significant data
Pollinator Attractor: Yes – flowers attract bees and other insects
Pest Repellent: Not commonly noted
Wildlife Supporter: Supports birds, bees, and other insects with nectar and fruit
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