A little over 12 months ago, I purchased two '1770' lillypillies - no tag, just a claim that they were endemic to the region around the Town of 1770, sister city ( :) ) to Agnes Water here in sunny QLD. Given that '1770' could also refer to Joseph Banks' noting his captain's taste for bush tucker on that fateful day in 1770, this may or may not be completely accurate.

If I had to describe the plant, it would be that it isnt like the majority of 'lillypillies' (predominately cultivars of Syzygium Australe) : a narrower, 'flatter' leaf with less sheen and a distinctly paler shade of green throughout. Its very similar to Syzygium Oleosum, the 'Blue Lillypilly', but with a better growth rate and (it would seem) larger leaves. The branches also seem to resist the normal 'weeping' habit I've come to expect from my lillypillies, giving the emerging tree a more 'traditional' look.

As both plants have grown like weeds, and are extremely attractive to boot (IMO - its probably the contrast with their neighbours that gives them their allure), I'd like to know exactly what species I have - any info is very much appreciated.

Thanks,

Artie

I'll endeavour to take a decent photo of it this afternoon, although the next door neighbours weed collection may hinder my efforts to show the young plant off to its full advantage.

In the meantime, take a look at my Syzygium Alamatoralum - it also lacks the darker green, ovoid leaves of the Australe varieties. In the background you can see another of my prized possessions, my Acmena Hemilampra. I havent had much luck with Acmena Smithii, and my Acmena Ingens struggled through summer, but the Hemilampra is doing very well indeed. The Rocky sun definitely sorts the real 'sun-lovers' from those bred for milder summers, and I suspect that many of these plants actually live in the understorey in their natural habitat, despite the tags and the assurances of the nursery industry.

http://arthurjwatts.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album01&id=tinkling