Syzygium (Syzygium sp. 'Sulawesi')

Product description

This is a rare Syzygium species from the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Especially the elongated leaves look special with a striking vein. They can grow up to 50 cm long. The species grows like a tree and can reach a height of about 15 metres in the tropics. With us, the species can be kept as a houseplant, limiting its size. It is a stem-bloomer and the flowers are visited by bees for pollination. Afterwards, pink-red fruits with sweet flesh and 1 round seed develop. 

There is ambiguity about the correct name, but probably this species has not yet been described. Currently, 19 Syzygium species are known from Sulawesi, but based on herbarium material, it is believed that there must be more than 100 different species. In 2017, a group of scientists described five more new species, as found in this article: Five new species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) from Sulawesi, Indonesia - PMC (nih.gov). But most of the Syzygium genus on Sulawesi thus seems to be still unknown, including thus probably this species. Sometimes seeds of Syzygium jiewhoei 'Narrow Form' are also traded and this seems to be the same species. 

Make sure the soil is well-drained and constantly slightly moist. In addition, especially young plants should be protected from direct sunlight. 

Sowing description: The germinated seed can develop further in Sphagnum moss at 22-28grC. When a first stem forms, transfer to a well-drained soil mixture.