Syzygium cordatum

Syzygium cordatum Hochst. ex C.Krause

Common names

Waterberry (English); mukute, musyingu, musafwa, namunsi, mufinsa (Bemba); mchisu, msinyika, mnyombe, nanyole, nyenyewe, msombo, muhlu, nyowe, katope (Nyanja); musompe (Tumbuka)

General description and distinguishing characteristics

Syzygium cordatum is always found associated with water, and is best recognised by its rounded, bluish green, almost stalkless leaves. Syzygium cordtum is a medium-sized evergreen tree up to 20 m in height but usually somewhat smaller. Bark pale grey to dark brown, rough, flaking. Leaves simple, opposite with distinctive parallel leaf venation at 45° to the midrib. Leaf typically 5.5-7.5 x 4 cm, leathery, bluish green above, paler below, elliptic to almost circular with a deeply lobed (‘cordate’) leaf base clasping the stalk. Petiole absent or very short. Flowers creamy white, sometimes tinged with pink, 2 cm in diameter with many conspicuous stamens. Produced in dense terminal heads(July-November). Fruit an ellipsoid, purple-black berry, typically 1.8 x 0.9 cm (December-March).

Distribution and habitat

Syzygium cordatum occurs from Uganda, DR Congo and Angola southwards. It is almost invariably found near water, and in the valley it is associated with riverine fringe woodland on the tributaries of the Luangwa, particularly in the foothills of the Muchinga escarpment.