Coolamon Tree

Syzgyium moorei is a canopy tree of sub tropical rainforest, reaching 40 metres in height, and a trunk of 60 centimetres wide. The bark is a grey/fawn/reddish colour. The tree is not buttressed at the base; some larger specimens are flanged at the base. The leaves are unusual for a New South Wales myrtle, being large, thick and heavy, 8 to 20 cm long with a short blunt point at the tip.

Flowers and fruit. An unusual characteristic of this tree is ramiflory, where flowers and fruits form out of the main branches behind the leaves, rather than from new growth and shoots. This is mostly a tropical feature, and unusual in rainforest trees so far south in New South Wales. In November to February, pink or orange flowers form in dense panicles on mature branches. 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.