Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly) Syzygium luehmannii
Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly) (Syzygium luehmannii) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Myrtaceae family, native to Rainforest of Queensland and northern New South Wales. It grows 5–15 m (16–49 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -2 °C (28 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
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Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 5–15 m (16–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -2 °C (28 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (raw, jam, sauces; clove and cinnamon flavour) |
| Native to | Rainforest of Queensland and northern New South Wales |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Guava: Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infects guava, feijoa, Surinam cherry and many other Myrtaceae; it spreads by airborne spores between them. Evidence B
Questions about Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly)
- How far apart should I plant Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly)?
- It tolerates about -2 °C (28 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly) flower?
- About 156–261 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Riberry (small-leaved lilly pilly). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
Notes and assumptions
- A dense, small-leaved lilly pilly with flushes of glossy pink new growth, much used as a clipped hedge or topiary. Fluffy white flowers are followed by crops of small, red, pear-shaped fruit with a spicy clove-like taste.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora
- Guava Psidium guajava
- Feijoa Acca sellowiana
- Surinam cherry (pitanga) Eugenia uniflora
- Cider gum (eucalyptus) Eucalyptus gunnii
- Lilly pilly Syzygium smithii
- Crimson bottlebrush Melaleuca citrina
- Mānuka (tea tree) Leptospermum scoparium