Myrtaceae
Syzygium guineense subsp. afromontanum
Forest waterberry · Mzuari
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Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This evergreen tree typically grows 3 to 30 metres tall, sometimes developing buttresses up to 1.8 metres. Its bark can be rough or smooth, varying from light grey to dark brown or white. Young leaves emerge as a distinctive deep purple-red before maturing to a glossy dark green, and are typically elliptic with a sharply pointed apex. When ripe, the fruits are obovoid to subglobose, purple to almost black, and measure between 2 and 2.5 cm long.
Where it works in Kilifi
This adaptable tree is suitable for Kilifi-coast gardens, thriving in full sun to semi-shade with moist, well-drained loamy or sandy soils, particularly where the water table is high. It serves as an excellent specimen for deep shade, a privacy screen when planted in rows, or for riverbank stabilisation.
Growing notes
Forest Waterberry is a relatively fast-growing tree, achieving 1-1.5 metres per year under favourable conditions. It requires consistent moisture, preferring soils with a high water table, and can tolerate occasional waterlogging once established. While hardy, caution is advised as its bark is reported to be toxic.
Sources
Researched with web grounding from: jstor.org, wikipedia.org, zimbabweflora.co.zw, botswanaflora.com, prota4u.org, nmppdb.com.ng. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.