Origin
Southeast Asia, India
Ecological Impact
One of the more rapidly spreading non-native species, forming dense canopies that shade out young native trees in wet pinelands, hammocks, and well drained uplands. Reported from 17 natural areas in Pinellas, Lee, Collier, Dade, Palm Beach, and Martin counties. Listed as a category I invasive specie by Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC).
Description
Evergreen tree may grow up to 25 m (80 ft) tall, with young stems grayish white and lower bark coarse and discolored. Leaves opposite, simple, entire, elliptic to boradly oblong, smooth, glossy, somewhat leathery, 5-10 cm (2-5 in) long, short pointed at tips; petioles to 3 cm (1.2 in) long; leaf midrib prominent, yellowish; blades with many lateral veins closely parallel. Flowers white to pinkish, about 1 cm (0.5 in) across, in branched clusters at stem tips; 4 petals, fused into a cup; many stamens. Fruit an ovoid 1 seeded berry to 2 cm (0.8 in) long, dark purplish red, shiny, with white to lavender flesh.
Identification Tips
May be confused with another naturalized non-native, the rose apple (Syzygium jambos) but only grows to 15 m (50 ft) in height; its leaves are longer, to 25 cm (10 in) long; its petals free, not fused into a cap; and its fruits cream-yellow.
History
Introduced into Florida for ornament and edible fruit by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with seeds from the Philippines in 1911 and 1920, and from Java and Zanaibar in 1912.
Range
Found in peninsular Florida, mostly in southernmost counties; documented by herbarium specimens from Plam Beach, Collier, and Lee counties.
Management Strategies
Do not plant. Remove exsisting trees from landscape.