Wax jambu, Java apple, Wax apple
Syzygium javanicum

Family: Myrtaceae

What it is like

A tree that grows 5-15 m tall. It often has branches near the base. The leaves are smooth on both surfaces. It has a short leaf stalk. Fruit are usually green but can be pink or red. White fruited kinds are often seedless while pink fruited kinds can have 1 or 2 seeds. The fruit are pear shaped. The skin of the fruit has a waxy feel. The fruit can be 12.5 cm long.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs a fertile soil. In south India it grows to 1200 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andamans, Asia, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Palau, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Thailand, USA

How it is used for food

Fresh fruit are eaten raw. They are also made into sauce.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown by seed. Seed need to be sown while fresh. Seedless kinds are grown using air layering. Where branches are low to the ground layering in the soil can be used.

Trees start to produce fruit while still small.

Its other names

Local names

Chom pu kao, Chom pu kio, Jambosa, Jambu ayer mawar, Jambu dersana, Jambu klampok, Jambu semarang, Jambu tersana, Jambu, Jumrool

Synonyms

Eugenia javanica Lam.;