Syzygium guineense subsp. guineense (SA Tree List No. 557), the bushveld waterberry, is but one of four subspecies of S. guineense, the only one found growing naturally in South Africa. The other three are all from the north of the South African border, indigenous in Zimbabwe and further.

The bushveld waterberry is a small tree with a drooping habit. It grows in riverine forests and open woodland, often near water. Young branches have a four-angled shape.  Old trunks are brown, rough and scaly. Leaves are elliptic, pale green above and dull below. The flowers are white and fragrant with conspicuous stamens. The fruits are ellipsoid and fleshy, becoming purple when ripe (Coates Palgrave, 2002).