Syzygium luehmannii, commonly known as Small-Leaved Lilly Pilly, is an evergreen tree native to the rainforests of coastal Queensland and New South Wales in Australia. It typically grows to a height of 6-45 feet (2-14 meters) and a width of 9-15 feet (3-5 meters), with a dense canopy of glossy green leaves. The tree’s appearance is characterized by its smooth, pink to reddish-brown bark and its small, lance-shaped leaves. Small-Leaved Lilly Pilly produces clusters of cream-colored flowers in the fall and winter, which are followed by showy, pear-shaped red berries, known as riberries. These berries mature from December to February and are notable for their tart, cranberry-like flavor with a hint of cloves.

The Small-Leaved Lilly Pilly is valued for its ornamental foliage, flowers, and edible fruit, making it a popular choice for urban planting, hedges, and as a feature tree in gardens. It is also appreciated for its relatively low maintenance requirements. This species prefers full sun to part shade, medium amounts of water, and well-drained soils. It is tolerant of light frosts and can adapt to a range of soil types. In addition to its use in landscaping, the riberry fruit is used in culinary applications and has gained popularity as a gourmet bushfood since the early 1980s. While generally pest-resistant, it can be susceptible to psyllids, which cause lumpy growths on the leaves but are usually not harmful to the tree’s overall health.CC BY-SA 4.0