ROSE APPLE TREE

Rose apple tree, also known as Syzygium Jambos, originated in Southeast Asia. It has been introduced widely on every continent except Antarctica. Syzygium Jambos has several common names, indicating the large number of regions it occurs as an ornamental or fruit tree. The titles include Malabar plum, Madhura nelli, Panineer champaka, plum rose, Malay apple and Rose apple. The fruit is widespread, very distinctive to its rose aroma and is highly-priced for jellies and confections. The name “rose apple” comes from the firm, pleasant scent and the rose coloured floral bouquet.

Morphological description

Rose apple tree is a large shrub or small-medium sized tree typically three to fifteen metres high, with a tendency to low branching. Its leaves and twigs are glabrous. The bark is a dark brown, relatively smooth texture. The leaves are mostly 2–4 cm broad and 10–20 cm long, pointed, base cuneate with hardly any petiole. Leaves are red initially when growing and become dark, glossy green on achieving full size. White or greenish-white coloured flowers are in small terminal clusters. The long, numerous stamens give them a 5–8 cm diameter. In temperate regions, the tree is summer-flowering. The edible fruits are shaped like some guava; in fact, it looks so like the guava that many unknown people may mistake for guava on first look.

The fragrance, texture and flavour differentiate it. The fruit usually includes one or two large, unarmoured seeds about a centimetre, lying loose in a slightly fluffy cavity, shaking the fruit to feel whether the seeds rattle some indication whether it is ripe or not. The skin is waxy and thin. The flowers are described as fragrant, though this appears to be a variable attribute.

Utilization

Syzygium Jambos is a multipurpose tree primarily grown for its fruit. The fruits are generally eaten raw. They are rich in vitamin C. The fruit is also used in various regional recipes. The rose apple is usually served with spiced sugar in South-East Asian countries. The wood is dense and used as a source of charcoal. The tree is rich in tannins with antimicrobial interest, so parts of the tree are used in regional traditional medicine.

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