Syzygium fruticosum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It grows 12 m tall. The branches are smooth. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. The leaf blade is narrowly oval and 9-13 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. The leaves are thinly leathery. The flowers are small and without stalks. They have 4 petals. The fruit is a small round berry. It is red when ripe. It is 6-7 mm across.

It has been shown to have antioxidant and anticancer properties.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in southern Assam up to 1,000 m above sea level. In southern China it grows between 500-1,700 m above sea level. It grows in Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In China it flowers from May to June and fruits from June to July.

Its other names

Local names

Ban jam, Bon jam, Jongkeng, Kak jam, Kathiya jamu, Khudi jam, Kurak schein, Pring angkam, Puti jam, Taw-thabye, Tepet jamu, Thabye-ywet-thay

Synonyms

Eugenia fruticosa (Roxburgh ex Candolle) Roxburgh;