Syzygium leuhmanii –

Riberry (Lilly Pilly)     

H: 8m 

W: 2- 3m 

Pink new growth and a weeping habit. It can be used as hedging or grown in a pot if desired. 

Edible uses: The berries can be used to boil and strained as a cordial or made into a jam. 

Pests and Diseases: Psyllid may occasionally attack the leaves of the trees but if grown in favourable conditions, isn’t usually a problem. 

Uses in the garden: Hedging, specimen tree. 

Position: Part shade 

Propagation: Seeds or cuttings. 

Growing Range: Northern NSW in rainforest areas. 

Photo (left) by Greg Tasney  under Creative Commons License 

Photo by Narelle Happ

Source: Aunty Jenni Tillett and Corinne Payne. Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung, Ngarrabul and Walbanja Yuin Women. 

Born and raised on Dharawal/ Tharawal country.

LILLY PILLY JAM

Late Summer is the best time to make this with Lilly Pillies fruiting prolifically. Make a big enough batch and you will have Lilly Pilly jam all year! If using larger Lilly Pilly berries, deseed them, or if the smaller variety, they can be strained and even used to make jelly. 

INGREDIENTS 

Lilly Pilly berries 
Sugar 
Jars – sterilised, boiling water is fine 

METHOD 

  • Depending on your berry size, deseed and blanch large berries or boil smaller berries until they lose their colour, then strain through muslin. 

  • Once again, depending on your berry size, weigh your berries or weigh the juice you have strained through muslin. 

  • Combine with an equal amount of sugar in a pan and bring to the boil. Leave it at a rolling boil until the jam thickens and coats the back of a wooden spoon. 

  • Seal in jars. Store in a cool dry place. 

*This information is a guide only. Correct identification is required before trying any native bush foods. Care must be taken to not consume plants in an environment where pesticides or herbicides may have been used.