Description:
Management:
Remarks:
Syzygium guineense
Myrtaceae
Indigenous
Common names:
Ecology:
Uses:
Propagation:
Seed:
treatment:
storage:
English: Waterberry Luganda: Kalunginsavu Luganda, dialect Buddu:
Muziti Lugbara: Anigo, amigo, kuzu Lugishu: Chiemo, sizanzass,
wandiviri Lugwe: Mutuli Luo: Kano Madi: Ozu, ologua Rukiga: Mugote,
mufumba Runyankore: Musimangwa Sebei: Lemaiyua, reberwo.
A large tree widely distributed in Africa. There are several subspecies
occurring from sea level to 2,100 m. It prefers moist soils with a high
watertable beside rivers, but will also grow in open woodland. Common in
the Impenetrable (Bwindi) forest.
Firewood, charcoal, poles, timber (furniture, general construction, tool
handles, carving), food (fruit), bee forage, medicine (bark, roots, leaves),
dyes, tannin (bark).
A densely leafy forest tree, usually 10-15 m but up to 25 m, the trunk broad
and fluted and the crown rounded and heavy, the branchlets drooping, the
stems thick and angular. BARK: smooth when young, black and rough with
age, flaking, producing a red watery sap if cut. LEAVES: young leaves
purple-red, but mature leaves dark green, opposite, shiny and smooth on
both surfaces, the tip long but rounded, on a
short grooved stalk. The
leaves are variable in shape. FLOWERS: white, showy stamens, in dense
branched heads 10 cm across, the honey-sweet smell attracting many
insects; stalks angular, square. FRUIT: oval to 3 cm, purple-black and
shiny, one-seeded, in big bunches of 20-30.
Seedlings (sow seed in pots), wildings, direct sowing on site.
Good germination. No. of seeds per kg: 2,400-3,700.
not necessary.
must be stored immediately the fruit is picked. Seeds may be spoilt in less
than 24 hours.
Pollarding, coppicing.
The wood is brown, hard and strong. It is easily worked but liable to split.