A treasured rainforest fruit traditionally enjoyed fresh or infused in water as a refreshing drink. With its tart, spicy, clove-like flavour, Riberry has become a gourmet bushfood superstar used in jams, syrups, sauces and cocktails. It feeds a remarkable diversity of birds and animals and is one of the most beautiful and useful lilly pillies for gardens and rainforest restoration.

Indigenous Uses

1. Fruit – a major rainforest bushfood

Riberries were highly valued by Indigenous rainforest peoples.

The bright red, crisp berries were:

• eaten fresh

• added to water to make a refreshing tart drink

• mashed and mixed with other fruits

• heated gently to reduce the sharpness

• pressed into simple fruit pastes

Flavour: spicy • clove-like • tart • slightly sweet. This complex taste made it one of the most important Syzygium fruits.

2. Leaves – aromatic herbal infusions

Crushed young leaves and shoots were:

• infused as a tea for digestive support

• used for minor colds and throat discomfort

• steeped to produce gentle antiseptic washes

• inhaled for clear breathing

The leaf oils have clove, cinnamon, and eucalyptus notes.

3. Bark & leaf washes

Infusions used as:

• skin cleansers

• antiseptic washes for scratches and mosquito bites

• general camp hygiene

4. Practical uses

Branches and stems used for:

• light tools

• children’s play spears

• weaving frames

• marking boundaries

Stories, Culture & Interesting Lore

1. “The Cherry of the Rainforest People”

Riberry was one of the sweet treats of the rainforest, symbolic of:

• generosity of the wet season

• family gathering

• abundance

• renewal

Its bright red colour represented vitality and celebration.

2. A seasonal signpost

The ripening of Riberry signalled:

• movement of fruit-eating birds

• arrival of wet-season storms

• appearance of other rainforest fruits

• timing for certain ceremonies and gatherings

3. A cherished children’s fruit

Riberry was a favourite snack for Indigenous children:

• easy to identify

• brightly coloured

• juicy and crisp

• often found low on the tree

Stories describe children watching birds to know when the harvest was ready.

4. A tree of “spicy air”

When the leaves are crushed, the aroma releases immediately.

Some families used this scent:

• to freshen shelters

• to cleanse spaces before storytelling

• during gatherings and trade meetings

• as a symbolic “wake-up” or clearing aroma

Modern Uses

1. A star of the modern bushfood industry

Riberry is one of Australia’s iconic gourmet native fruits.

Used in:

• jams and jellies

• chutneys

• relishes

• syrups and cordials

• sauces for meats (especially game, lamb & pork)

• Riberry vinegar

• ice creams and sorbets

• muffins, sauces and desserts

• gin and cocktail infusions

Its flavour — spicy berry with clove and cinnamon tones — is unlike any other fruit.

2. Baking & desserts

Perfect in:

• cheesecakes

• fruit muffins

• compotes

• tarts

• pavlova toppings

• native Christmas puddings

3. Drinks

Essential in:

• Riberry gin

• native spritzes

• kombucha infusions

• rainforest mocktails

4. Landscaping

Syzygium luehmannii is prized for:

• lush foliage

• pink new growth

• clusters of red fruit

• resilience and adaptability

• excellent for hedging or screening

Works beautifully in:

• rainforest-style gardens

• edible landscapes

• wildlife plantings

• eco-accommodation gardens

5. Nutraceutical & skincare

High in:

• antioxidants

• anthocyanins

• vitamin C

• anti-inflammatory compounds

Used in skincare and wellness products.

Ecological Importance

Food for wildlife

Riberry fruit is eaten by:

• fruit-doves

• catbirds

• bowerbirds

• figbirds

• parrots

• flying foxes

• possums

These animals play a major role in seed dispersal across rainforest systems.

Pollinators

Flowers attract:

• native bees

• stingless bees

• hoverflies

• beetles

• butterflies

A significant nectar source in subtropical rainforests.

Habitat creation

Dense foliage provides:

• shelter for small birds

• roosting for microbats

• cover for frogs and reptiles

Fire ecology

• Sensitive to fire

• Restricted to fire-protected rainforest

• Indicator of stable, long-unburnt habitat.