Syzygium moorei
Coolamon
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Location & distribution maps
Plant information
Plant information
Common name: Coolamon
Also, watermelon tree, durobby and robby
It is also called "rose apple" but this can refer to many species of Syzygium
Conservation status: Vulnerable
A rare sub tropical rainforest tree
Etymology:
Flowers
An unusual factor of this tree is cauliflory, where flower and fruit form on the main stems or woody trunks rather than from new growth and shoots
This is mostly a tropical feature, and unusual in rainforest trees so far south in NSW
In November to February, pink or orange flowers form in dense panicles on mature branches
Fruit:
Fruit showing cauliflory
The berry is white or pale green and up to 6 cm in diameter, maturing around Easter time
The fruit is not pleasant to eat raw, but is an excellent ingredient in mixed preserves
The large seed germinates well after many months
Most seedlings appear in November and December
Leaves:
The leaves are unusual for a NSWs myrtle, being large, thick and heavy, 8 to 20 cm long with a short blunt point at the tip
Stem & branches:
The bark is a grey/fawn/reddish colour
The tree is not buttressed at the base; some larger specimens are flanged at the base
Roots:
Habit:
A canopy tree of sub tropical rainforest, reaching 40 metres in height, and a trunk of 60 cm wide
Habitat:
Grows on volcanic soils
Distribution:
Mount Warning area of north east NSW and south east Queensland, Australia
A few mature specimens can still be seen in the farmland areas in their former range near streams at low altitude
This tree is in many botanic gardens in Australia
Additional notes:
The pink flowers and beautiful form make it a popular park and garden tree; there is a superb specimen at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
It's also seen as a street tree in Murwillumbah, Brisbane and other nearby localities
Sources of information:
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