Syzygium

Syzygium (/sɪˈzɪdʒiːəm/)^[3] is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. The genus comprises about 1200 species,^[4][5][6] and has a native range that extends from Africa and Madagascar through southern Asia east through the Pacific.^[7] Its highest levels of diversity occur from Malaysia to northeastern Australia, where many species are very poorly known and many more have not been described taxonomically. One indication of this diversity is in leaf size, ranging from as little as a half inch (1.3 cm) to as great as 4 ft 11 inches (1.5 meters) by 16 inches (41 centimeters) in Syzygium acre of New Caledonia.^[8]

Clade:Tracheophytes

Clade:Angiosperms

Clade:Eudicots

Clade:Rosids

Quick facts Scientific classification, Species ...

Syzygium
Syzygium malaccense
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Subfamily:	Myrtoideae
Tribe:	Syzygieae
Genus:	Syzygium P. Browne ex Gaertn.[1]
Species
About 1200; see List of Syzygium species
Synonyms[2]
List Acicalyptus A. Gray Acmena DC. Acmenosperma Kausel Anetholea Peter G. Wilson Aphanomyrtus Miq. Bostrychode (Miq.) O. Berg in C. F. P. von Martius & auct. suc. (eds.) Caryophyllus L. Cerocarpus Colebr. ex Hassk. Cetra Noronha Clavimyrtus Blume Cleistocalyx Blume Cupheanthus Seem. Gaslondia Vieill. Gelpkea Blume Jambolifera Houtt. Jambos Adans. Jambosa DC. nom. illeg. Leptomyrtus (Miq.) O. Berg in C. F. P. von Martius & auct. suc. (eds.) Lomastelma Raf. Macromyrtus Miq. Macropsidium Blume Malidra Raf. Microjambosa Blume Myrthoides Wolf Opa Lour. Pareugenia Turrill Piliocalyx Brongn. & Gris Pseudoeugenia Scort. Strongylocalyx Blume Syllisium Endl. Syllysium Meyen & Schauer Tetraeugenia Merr. Waterhousea B.Hyland Xenodendron K.Schum. & Lauterb.

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Most species are evergreen trees and shrubs. Several species are grown as ornamental plants for their attractive glossy foliage, and a few produce edible fruits called roseapples that are eaten fresh or used in jams and jellies. The most economically important species, however, is the clove Syzygium aromaticum, of which the unopened flower buds are an important spice. Some of the edible species of Syzygium are planted throughout the tropics worldwide, and several have become invasive species in some island ecosystems. Fifty-two species are found in Australia and are generally known as lillipillies, brush cherries or satinash.^[9]