Watery rose apple
Syzygium aqueum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A shrub or small tree. It mostly occurs as just a small shrub with branches near the base. It is 5-8 m tall. But it can occur as a tree up to 10-30 m high with a short crooked trunk. The trunk can be 70 cm across. The twigs are angular and carry simple opposite leaves. The leaves are somewhat narrow and pointed at both ends and they clasp the stem without a stalk. They are stiff. They are from 5 to 23 cm long by 6 cm wide. They have a heart shaped base. The leaves have many oil dots. The flowers are yellowish green. They are about 3 cm across. The flowers occur in many flowered clusters in the angles of leaves. They can also be on the ends of branches and on side shoots from stems. Flowers and fruit are slightly scented. The fruit is a fleshy yellow, white or red berry which is bell shaped. The fruit is about 3-5 cm across. It has a crater in the end with a long thread in it. The fruit is waxy and crisp and is often seedless. When seeds occur there can be one or more seeds. The fruit is edible. The fruit vary a lot and so presumably does the food composition.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in many tropical countries. It suits the hot, wet tropical lowlands. In grows in lower montaine forest. It grows from sea level to 1600 metres near the equator. It grows well in wet places but needs a well drained soil. They can grow in poor alkaline soils. They are found in Samar in the Philippines growing in areas of shrub and forest at low and medium altitudes. Plants are sensitive to frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Bougainville, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Cambodia, Central America, China, Cuba, East Timor, Ghana, Guatemala, Guianas, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Myanmar, Pacific, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, SE Asia (country/location of origin), Singapore, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Torres Strait, Trinidad, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also used for drinks or syrup.

It is moderately common in lowland areas of Papua New Guinea and suits drier areas than Malay apple. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Trees can be grown fairly easily from cuttings but can also be grown by air layering or budding. Buds do not always continue to grow successfully. A spacing of 6-8 metres between trees is suitable. Where seeds occur, plants can be grown from fresh seed. Fruit from these plants can be more oily and acidic. It can be grown as a hedge with heavy pruning.

Fruiting is seasonal but there can be 2 or 3 crops a year. In the southern hemisphere flowering is often about October with fruit from October to January. Fruit develop quickly. Fruit mature in 30-40 days.

Its other names

Local names

Bell fruit, Bogwia, Chom pu pa, Chomphuu-saarek, Chompoo, Dieng-sho-liwa, Gulaabijaamichettu, Gulaabijaamikaayalu, Jambo-branco, Jambu aek, Jambu air, Jambu ayer mawar, Jambu ayer, Jambu darsono, Jambu madu, Jambu uwer, Jambu wer, Jan buroalu, Makopang, Moimbakam, Pani jam, Pini jambu, Pohon jambu mawar, Pomarrosa blanca, ambis, Sangop, Wal jambu, Water apple

Synonyms

Eugenia aquea Burman f.;