Shore Eugenia scientifically known as Syzygium antisepticum or Syzygium gratum, is a an evergreen tree from the family Myrtaceae, native to Maritime Southeast Asia.. It is found in in dry evergreen forests, especially those in coastal areas of the Greater Sunda Islands including Sumatra, Java, and Borneo.
Syzygium antisepticum is a medium sized tree about 25 - 40 metres tall.
It has a distinctive copper-red, papery and flaky bark.
The leaves are arranged oppositely and are lance shaped.
Leaves are glossy dark green on the upper side and paler on the lower side.
Young leaves are reddish.
The flowers are produced in compact inflorescence. The individual blossom is small with numerous, prominent, white stamens.
Fruits are small, oblong to spherical, white and berry-like. These fruits are edible and eaten by birds and squirrels.
Young shoots are cooked and eaten as vegetable and also added to curries.
In Thailand, young reddish leaves, somewhat astringent and sour, are consumed as vegetable.
MEDICINAL USES
Studies suggest that its leaves have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, antiseptic and antimutagenic properties.
- Used for treatment of dyspepsia, indigestion, peptic ulcer, diarrhea and bacterial infections
- In Thai medicine, leaves are used for anti-flatulence.
- Also used for treatment of puerperal fever. (caused by post-partum infection)
Other Uses
- Bark: Yields tannin, which is used for toughening fishing nets and coloring clothes reddish-brown or black.
- Wood: Heavy, moderately hard, somewhat durable; moderately resistant to fungi and termites. Used for construction of houses, furniture, implements, musical instruments, tool handles joinery, flooring
SIMILAR PLANTS
This species is similar to Syzygium zeylanicum however it differs in size (this is a bigger tree), leaves are dark glossy green on topside with longer petioles and the white fruits are slightly smaller than those of Syzygium zeylanicum.
Source:
Reference
Plants of Singapore
