southern satinash

Syzygium ingens is a tree that typically grows to a height of up to 40 m (130 ft) with a dbh of up to 90 cm (35 in). It has a smooth, straight, greyish or fawn-coloured trunk that is buttressed at the base of older specimens. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, narrow elliptic to oblong, 60–180 mm (2.4–7.1 in) long and 20–50 mm (0.79–1.97 in) wide on a reddish petiole 2–8 mm (0.079–0.315 in) long. The upper surface of the leaves is glossy green and the lower surface is paler with a raised mid-rib. The flowers are borne in panicles on the ends of branchlets, the panicles shorter than the leaves. The five sepals are fused at the base forming a bell-shaped floral cup about 3 mm (0.12 in) in diameter with rounded lobes. The five petals are white, more or less oblong and 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) long with irregular edges. Flowering occurs from November to December and the fruit is a dark pink to red, spherical to oval berry, 25–30 mm (0.98–1.18 in) long, 15–40 mm (0.59–1.57 in) in diameter containing a single seed surrounded by white flesh.

Red apple grows on volcanic soil from near Gympie in south eastern Queensland to Casino in northern New South Wales.

Birds seen eating the fruit of this species include wompoo fruit dove, green catbird, eastern rosella, pied currawong and topknot pigeon.

Germination is assisted by removing the seed from the flesh, and soaking for a day or two to kill any insect larvae. Germination is swift and reliable. Cuttings also strike well.

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