Java apple, Wax jambu, Samarang rose apple
Syzygium samarangense

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tree up to 15 m high that branches near the base giving a spreading open tree. The leaves are smaller (25 cm x 10 cm) and more pointed than Malay apple and on short stalks. Flowers are about 3 cm wide and white. They are on leafy twigs. It produces clusters of attractive glossy pink waxy looking fruit. Fruit are 3 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. At the end of the fruit there is a cavity almost enclosed by four lobes. The fruit has a waxy skin and crispy flesh.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Trees grow in coastal areas in the tropics. They need a deep fertile soil. It needs adequate rainfall and some humidity. In Samoa it grows from sea level to 930 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, American Samoa, Andamans, Aruba, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Guam, Guianas, India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia (country/location of origin), Maldives, Micronesia, Myanmar, Niue, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh with salt or cooked as a sauce or stewed with apples. The fruit have little taste.

This is not a common fruit tree in Papua New Guinea. Where it occurs fruit quality is poor.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are mainly raised from seeds. Fresh seeds must be used. Often few seeds are produced. They can be propagated by air layering or budding. Girdling of the shoots and using rooting hormones enables cuttings to be used for propagation. A spacing of 8-10 m apart is suitable.

It is fast growing. Trees start fruiting when quite small. Fruit production is seasonal. Normally large numbers of fruit are produced. Fruit mature in 30-40 days. In Northeastern India fruit are available May to November.

Its other names

Local names

Amrool, Curacaouse apple, Gulaabijaamichettu, Gulabijaamikaayalu, Indahu, Jambo-rosa, Jambu gas, Jamrul, Kanlan rehs, Makopa, Mamhofu, Mankil, Nakavika, Nonu vao, Panee jamun, Paninir champa, Pohon jambu air, Semarang rose-apple, Tuii chamboo, Tunipkam, Twi-jambo

Synonyms

Eugenia javanica Lam. in part; Myrtus samarangensis Blume; Jambosa samarangensis (Blume) DC.; Eugenia richii sensu Yuncker non A. Gray;