Syzygium cumini L
Synonym: eugenia cumini, eugenia jambolana.
Common name: java plum, jambul, jamun, jaman, black plum, faux pistachier, Indian blackberry, jambol, doowet, jambolan.
Family: myrtaceae (myrtle family).
The jamun plant is originally from Indonesia and India; it now grows abundantly in Suriname.
An evergreen tropical tree, 60 to 100 ft. tall with oblong opposite leaves that are smooth and glossy.
Jamun has fragrant white flowers in branched clusters at stem tips and purplish-black oval edible berries.
The fruit contains resin, gallic acid and tannin.
This berry has only one seed. Although a tropical tree, it grows easy in subtropical climates and can also be found in Florida, USA.
Jambolan starts bearing fruit in 7 - 9 years.
All parts of the java plum can be used medicinally and it has a long tradition in alternative medicine.
In the Phillipines and Suriname wine is made from the fermensed fruit.
In India the bark is used for anemia, the bark and seed for diabetes, the fruit for dysentery, leaves juice for gingivitis.
In Suriname's traditional medicine, the leaves are used against diarrhea and fever; the fruit against diarrhea and abdominal pains.
The seed is used against diabetes. Bark, leaves and flowers against diabetes.
Hardiness: USDA zone 9 B - 11.
Propagation: seeds.
Culture: full sun, soil: dry to moist.
Plant in frost free spots. |
