About Syzygium maire (A.Cunn.) Sykes & Garn.-Jones
Syzygium maire, commonly called swamp maire, is an evergreen tree endemic to New Zealand. Its Māori name is maire tawake. This species grows throughout the North Island of New Zealand, and also occurs in the northern half of the South Island. It naturally grows in wetlands, where it develops breathing roots to adapt to waterlogged soils, but it can also tolerate moderately dry growing conditions. It produces creamy-white flowers in autumn, which are followed by bright red drupes around 3 centimetres in length that ripen in late winter. The fruit of Syzygium maire is edible, and can be eaten either raw or cooked. The fruit is also rich in antioxidants. This tree is sold commercially as an ornamental plant for garden use. It is not closely related to other New Zealand species that share the common name "maire", which belong to the genus Notelaea.
