Syzygium paniculatum aka Magenta Lilly Pilly

Syzygium paniculatum, also known as magenta lilly pilly or magenta cherry, is a species of evergreen flowering plant in the myrtle family Myrtaceae, native to New South Wales, Australia. It is a broad, dense, bushy rainforest tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall in cultivation, with a trunk diameter of up to 35 cm. However, exceptional specimens can grow up to 20 meters tall. The largest known example is at Ourimbah Creek, 35 meters tall. The leaves are 3-9 cm long, opposite, simple, slightly obovate, and taper at the leaf base. They are dark glossy green above and paler below. White flowers are produced in clusters, and the edible fruit is usually magenta but can be white, pink, or purple. The fruit is pleasantly sour and has an apple-like flavor. It can be eaten fresh or cooked into jams and is sometimes gathered from the wild. The seeds are polyembryonic. Brush cherry is a slow-growing evergreen shrub or small tree with a dense, pyramidal crown. It usually grows 3-7 meters tall, but exceptional specimens up to 20 meters are found. The plant is commonly grown as a hedge and ornamental. It is endangered with a serious risk of disappearing from the wild within one or two decades if current land use continues. The plant is commonly confused with Syzygium australe, the brush cherry. In cultivation, brush cherry prefers long-lasting, direct light and should be less than one foot from a window. It requires regular watering and well-draining soil. Repotting is recommended each time it doubles in size, and added fertilizers are typically unnecessary. The 1889 book "The Useful Native Plants of Australia" records that brush cherry fruit contains free tartaric acid, cream of tartar, sugar, and red coloring matter. The red juice of the fruit is similar in its properties to that of red grapes. By fermentation, it yields wine possessing a bouquet. The coloring matter is soluble in alcohol and ether-alcohol but not in pure ether. It is precipitated by lead-acetate, decolorized by reducing agents, and recovers its red color on exposure to the air, just like litmus and the red color of wine.