Red bush apple facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red bush apple |
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|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Syzygium
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| Species: |
suborbiculare
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The red bush apple (scientific name: Syzygium suborbiculare) is a small tree. It grows in the shade under taller trees in open forests and woodlands. You can find it in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea.
This tree or shrub usually grows to be about 4 to 20 metres (13 to 66 ft) tall. It has beautiful white flowers that bloom between June and November.
About the Red Bush Apple
What It Looks Like
The leaves of the red bush apple are smooth, thick, and feel a bit like leather. They are shaped like a broad oval and can be from 7 to 19 centimeters long.
Its flowers are white and have many small parts called stamens. The fruit is round but a bit flat, like a small apple. It's juicy and has clear ribs or ridges on the outside. These fruits are usually 3 to 7 centimeters long and have one large seed inside.
Where It Grows
The red bush apple likes to grow in sandy soils. You can often find it on flood plains or on rocky hills made of sandstone. It is especially common in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
How People Use It
The fruit of the red bush apple is edible, meaning you can eat it! Aboriginal people have traditionally eaten the fruit raw.
Besides being a food source, the tree is also used in other ways:
- Medicine: Parts of the tree are used for traditional medicine.
- Firewood: The wood from the tree can be used for fires.
- Nectar for Bees: The flowers produce nectar, which is a sweet liquid that bees collect to make honey.
