View source for Syzygium jambos

{{Short description|Species of fruit and plant}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}
{{stack begin}}
{{speciesbox
|image = Syzygium jambos.JPG
|status = LC
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). |author2=IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group |date=2019 |title=''Syzygium jambos'' |volume=2019 |page=e.T49487025A144800316 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T49487025A144800316.en |access-date=19 November 2021}}</ref>
|genus = Syzygium
|species = jambos
|authority = [[Carl Linnaeus|L.]] (Alston)
|synonyms =
''Eugenia jambos''<br />
''Jambosa jambos''
}}
{{nutritional value
| name=Rose-apples, raw
| image=Syzygium jambos Fruit and seeds IMG 4906.JPG
| caption = Fruit and seeds. One fruit is split to show seeds.
| kJ=105
| protein=0.6 g
| fat=0.3 g
| carbs=5.7 g
| calcium_mg=29
| iron_mg=0.07
| magnesium_mg=5
| phosphorus_mg=8
| potassium_mg=123
| sodium_mg=0
| zinc_mg=0.06
| manganese_mg=0.029
| vitC_mg=22.3
| thiamin_mg=0.02
| riboflavin_mg=0.03
| niacin_mg=0.8
| vitA_ug=17
| source_usda = 1
| note=[https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/food-details/168412/nutrients Link to USDA Database entry]
}}
{{stack end}}
'''''Syzygium jambos''''' is a species of [[rose apple]] originating in Southeast Asia and occurring widely elsewhere, having been introduced as an [[Ornamental plant|ornamental]] and [[fruit tree]].<ref name="Fruit&Nuts">Janick, Jules. Paull, Robert E. The Encyclopedia of Fruit & Nuts. Publisher: CABI 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-85199-638-7}}</ref>

== Description ==

''Syzygium jambos'' is a large [[shrub]] or small-to-medium-sized tree, typically {{Convert|3 to 15|m|abbr=off|frac=2}} high, with a tendency to low branching. Its [[leaves]] and twigs are [[Glabrousness|glabrous]] and the bark, though dark brown, is fairly smooth too, with little relief or texture. The leaves are [[Leaf shape|lanceolate]], {{Convert|2 to 4|cm|abbr=off|frac=8}} broad, {{Convert|10 to 20|cm|abbr=on|frac=2}} long, pointed, base [[Leaf shape|cuneate]] with hardly any petiole, lively red when growing, but dark, glossy green on attaining full size. The flowers are in small terminal clusters, white or greenish white, the long, numerous stamens giving them a diameter of {{Convert|5–8|cm|abbr=on|frac=4}}. In temperate regions the tree is summer-flowering.<ref name="RHS" />

The fruit is shaped like some kinds of [[guava]]; in fact, the fruit is so like the guava in appearance that people unfamiliar with it may mistake it for a guava on sight. However, the fragrance, flavour and texture are different, and instead of containing dozens of small, hard seeds set in a jelly-like tissue, as a guava does, the fruit of ''S.&nbsp;jambos'' usually contains one or two large, unarmoured seeds about 1 cm in diameter, lying loose in a slightly fluffy cavity when ripe. Shaking a fruit to feel whether the seeds rattle, gives some indication whether it is ripe. The skin is thin and waxy. The flowers are described by some as fragrant, though this appears to be a variable attribute. The ripe fruit, however, has a strong, pleasant floral bouquet, hence such common names as "Rose apple"<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hargreaves |first1=Dorothy |title=Tropical Trees of Hawaii |last2=Hargreaves |first2=Bob |publisher=Hargreaves |year=1964 |location=Kailua, Hawaii |page=54}}</ref> and "pomarrosa".

{{gallery|mode=packed
|Syzygium jambos Foliage and fruit IMG 4901.JPG|Branches, foliage and fruit
|RoseApples.jpg|Leaves and fruit
|Rose-apples, ripe.jpg|Rose-apples, ripe
|Rose-apple seeds.jpg|Rose-apple seeds
}}

== Taxonomy ==

=== Botanical names ===
;''Syzygium jambos''
* Family: [[Myrtaceae]]
* Genus: ''Syzygium''
* Species: ''jambos''
* Synonym: ''Eugenia jambos''
* Synonym: ''Jambosa jambos''
* Synonym: ''Jambosa vulgaris''
* Synonym: ''Myrtus jambos''<ref name="test">[http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/90279/#b Link text], additional text.</ref>

The tree has variously been allocated to the genus ''Jambosa'', ''Eugenia''<ref name="RHS">Chittenden, Fred J. Ed., Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening, Oxford 1951</ref> and ''Syzygium'', where it now seems to have been permanently accepted. There have been a few species ascribed to it, but currently several varieties with various fruit colours all are recognised as ''Syzygium jambos''.

=== Common names ===
''Syzygium jambos'' has several common names, reflecting the large number of regions in which it occurs as a garden or fruit tree or as an invader. The names include '''''ಪನ್ನೇರಳೆ ''''', '''''Guljamun ''''', '''''madhura nelli''''', '''Malabar Plum''', '''''Panineer Champakka''''', '''''Mountain Apple (champoo)''''', '''''chom pu''''' or '''''chom-phu'''''. Terms like '''"plum rose"''', '''"water apple"''', '''"pera de agua"''', '''"Cloud apple"''', '''"Wax apple"''', '''"Malay apple"''', '''"jambrosade"''', '''"PauTêe"'''(Penang Hokkien spelled with Taiwanese Romanisation System), '''"pomarrosa"''', or the English equivalent, '''"rose apple"'''. Several of these names are applied to other species of ''[[Syzygium]]'',<ref name="Fruit&Nuts" /> while '''''"jambu"''''' can also mean a [[guava]]. The name Jambu for this fruit is in all likelihood limited to one or two of the twenty-odd major Indian languages, while most other languages use similar words (Jaamun, Jaambhool, etc.) for another fruit, smaller than the rose apple, and dark purple in colour like the fruit of the [[eggplant]]. In Bangla, the fruit is called '''"golap-jaam"''' ({{langx|bn|গোলাপজাম}}) and in Odia, it is called '''"golapajamu"''' ({{langx|or|ଗୋଲାପଜାମୁ}}), which literally translate to "rose jaamun", in reference to its distinct aroma. In Karnataka, the English common name is "rose apple", and the vernacular name is Pannerale ({{langx|kn|ಪನ್ನೇರಳೆ}}; Panneer hannu), while the name for the other one is Nerale. Such a confusion of [[common name]]s in [[horticulture]] is nothing unusual.

In Myanmar, it is called ''Lily fruit'' ({{Linktext|နှင်းသီး}}).

In [[Philippines|the Philippines]], it is locally called as '''''yambo''''', '''''dambo''''' or '''''{{lang|tg|tampoy}}'''''.<ref name="Fruit&Nuts" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stuartxchange.org/Tampoi|title=Tampoi, Syzygium jambos (Linn.) Alston, ROSE APPLE, Pu tao / Philippine Medicinal Herbs / Alternative Medicine|website=www.stuartxchange.org|access-date=2017-03-09}}</ref> Always confused with ''macopa'', a closely related fruit ([[Syzygium samarangense]]), ''Syzygium jambos'' is not widely cultivated and can only be encountered in rural areas. It is the namesake of [[Lakes Pandin and Yambo|Lake Yambo]], one of the [[Seven Lakes of San Pablo|Seven Lakes]] of [[San Pablo, Laguna|San Pablo City]], [[Laguna (province)|Laguna]]

In [[Maldives]], it is called Jambu in Dhivehi, and its cousin fruit is called Jamburol, the water apple or wax apple.

It is also known as '''বগী জামুক''' '''Bogi Jamuk''' in [[Assamese language|Assamese]].

In Brazil, the fruit is called jambo.

=== Varieties ===
There are many varieties of ''S. jambos'' worldwide, including undistinguished feral trees. In Thailand, the most common cultivated variety bears a pale green fruit. Malaysian varieties generally have red skins. In many regions, the fruit is a shade of pale yellow, often with a slight blush. The skin is thin and waxy, and the hollow core contains a small amount of insignificant fluff. The flesh is crisp and watery, and the taste is characteristic, which leads to some fanciful descriptions, such as: "like a cross between [[Pyrus pyrifolia|nashi]] and [[bell pepper]], with a very mild [[rose]] scent and a slightly bitter [[aftertaste]]."

==Distribution and habitat==

It has also been introduced widely on every continent except Antarctica, and it has become established and invasive in several regions. Concern has been expressed because of the threat to various ecosystems, including those on several [[Hawaii|Hawaiian islands]], [[Réunion]], [[Pitcairn]], the [[Galápagos Islands]], parts of [[Australia]] and the warmer regions of the [[Americas]]. However, in Hawaii, it has been almost wiped out by the introduced rust ''[[Puccinia psidii]]''.<ref>{{cite book |author=Loope, L.L. | title = A Summary of Information on the Rust Puccinia psidii Winter (Guava Rust) with Emphasis on Means to Prevent Introduction of Additional Strains to Hawaii| publisher = [[USGS]] | year = 2010 | url = https://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2010/1082/ | access-date = 26 February 2017}}</ref>

==Uses==
Rich in [[vitamin C]], the fruit can be eaten raw or cooked<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants |publisher=[[Skyhorse Publishing]] |others=[[United States Department of the Army]] |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-60239-692-0 |location=New York |page=87 |language=en-US |oclc=277203364}}</ref> in various regional recipes. In South-East Asian countries, rose apple fruit is frequently served with [[spice]]d [[sugar]].

The wood is dense and accordingly is used as a source of charcoal.

The tree is variously rich in [[tannin]]s that are of some antimicrobial interest. Some parts of the tree are used in regional traditional medicine.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons-inline}}
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/rose_apple.html The Rose Apple]
* [https://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SYJA USDA profile]
* [http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/syzygium_jambos.htm Invasive species]
* [http://tahitinui.blog.lemonde.fr/2008/09/01/pomme-deau-jambosier/ Jambosier]
* http://www.mpbd.info/plants/syzygium-jambos.php
* http://toptropicals.com/html/toptropicals/plant_wk/rose_apple.htm
* http://earthmedicineinstitute.com/more/library/medicinal-plants/syzygium-jambos/
* http://www.neifm.org/arunachalPage/showdetails/PLANT_ID/2032
* {{PFAF|Syzygium jambos}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q31931}}

[[Category:Syzygium|jambos]]
[[Category:Plants described in 1753]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus]]
[[Category:Fruits originating in Asia]]
[[Category:Austronesian agriculture]]