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Syzygium cumini
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<h2 id="description">Description</h2> <p>Its dense foliage provides shade and is grown just for its ornamental value. At the base of the tree, the bark is rough and dark grey, becoming lighter grey and smoother higher up. The wood is water resistant after being kiln-dried.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> Because of this, it is used in railway sleepers and to install motors in wells. It is sometimes used to make cheap furniture and village dwellings, though it is relatively hard for carpentry.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> </p><p>The aromatic leaves are pinkish when young, changing to a leathery, glossy dark green with a yellow midrib as they mature. The leaves are used as food for livestock, as they have good nutritional value.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a> </p><p><i>Syzygium cumini</i> trees start flowering from March to April. The flowers are fragrant and small, about 5 mm (0.2 in) in diameter. The fruits develop by May or June and resemble large <a href="/facts/Berry_(botany)/2JfhI0vw">berries</a>; the fruit of <i><a href="/facts/Syzygium/3DSdHKtz">Syzygium</a></i> species is described as "<a href="/facts/Drupaceous/WrnGMPSa">drupaceous</a>".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> The fruit is oblong, <a href="/facts/Ovoid/sHC4YNkQ">ovoid</a>. Unripe fruit looks green. As it matures, its color changes to pink, then to shining crimson red and finally to black color. A variant of the tree produces white-coloured fruit. The fruit has a combination of sweet, mildly sour, and <a href="/facts/Astringent/Na9nEIr7">astringent</a> flavour and tends to colour the tongue purple.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="distribution">Distribution</h2> <p><i>Syzygium cumini</i> is native to the Indian subcontinent (the <a href="/facts/Andaman_Islands/w2CR0mhH">Andaman Islands</a>, <a href="/facts/Bangladesh/NXk4f78Y">Bangladesh</a>, <a href="/facts/Nepal/yWCzTBR2">Nepal</a>, <a href="/facts/India/QW4TV4sy">India</a>, the <a href="/facts/Eastern_Himalayas/zkr63TIg">Eastern Himalayas</a>, <a href="/facts/Pakistan/cbIsvJy1">Pakistan</a>, <a href="/facts/Assam/64Hs7TwB">Assam state</a>, the <a href="/facts/Laccadive_Islands/VCp3jJUE">Laccadive Islands</a> and <a href="/facts/Sri_Lanka/VtTBmysE">Sri Lanka</a>); China (<a href="/facts/Hainan/wUWoHo1V">Hainan province</a>, <a href="/facts/South_Central_China/DoEwl8na">South-Central</a> and Southeast China); Indonesia (<a href="/facts/Java/2MNA2rLm">Java</a>, the <a href="/facts/Maluku_Islands/Bwucm34R">Maluku Islands</a>, <a href="/facts/Sulawesi/BKg2WNej">Sulawesi</a>); Southeast Asia (<a href="/facts/Cambodia/t1wJd6GU">Cambodia</a>, <a href="/facts/Laos/S0afugjX">Laos</a>, <a href="/facts/Malaysia/8zbUMzCP">Malaysia</a>, <a href="/facts/Thailand/GCUnN4JK">Thailand</a>, <a href="/facts/Vietnam/0ulfA8Eq">Vietnam</a> and <a href="/facts/Myanmar/zcqQH2oE">Myanmar</a>); Australia (<a href="/facts/Queensland/lXBlIeY3">Queensland</a>).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="invasive-species">Invasive species</h2> <p>This species is considered invasive in Florida, South Africa, parts of the Caribbean, several islands of Oceania, and Hawaii.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="culinary-uses">Culinary uses</h2> <p>Jambolan fruits have a sweet or slightly acidic flavor, are eaten raw, and may be made into sauces or jam.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> Fruits may be made into juice, jelly, sorbet, syrup (e.g., <i>kala khatta</i>),<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a> or fruit salad.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a> </p> <h3>Nutrition</h3> <p>Raw fruit is 83% water, 16% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and contains negligible fat. In a reference amount of 100 g (3.5 oz), the raw fruit provides 60 calories and a moderate content of vitamin C, with no other <a href="/facts/Micronutrient/nwzKuSMQ">micronutrients</a> in appreciable amounts (table). </p> <h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>The 1889 book <i>The Useful Native Plants of Australia</i> records that the plant was referred to as "durobbi" by native Indigenous Australians, and that "The fruit is much eaten by the natives of India; in appearance it resembles a <a href="/facts/Damson/NTQqr4Nk">damson</a>, has a harsh but sweetish flavour, somewhat astringent and acid. It is eaten by birds and is a favourite food of the <a href="/facts/Pteropus/T3wWvapc">flying fox</a> (Brandis)."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a> The fruit has been used in traditional medicine.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="cultural-and-religious-significance-in-india">Cultural and religious significance in India</h2> <p>In the <a href="/facts/Majjhima_Nik%25C4%2581ya/9WY6P3ur">Majjhima Nikāya</a>, three parallel texts (MN 36, MN 85 and MN 100) claim that the Buddha remembered an experience of sitting in the cool shade of a jambu tree when he was a child. While his father was working, he entered into a meditative state which he later understood to be the first stage of <a href="/facts/Dhy%25C4%2581na_in_Buddhism/vF7EqVrj">Jhāna meditation</a>. The texts claim that this was a formative experience, which later encouraged him to explore and practise Jhāna meditation, and that this then led to his <a href="/facts/Enlightenment_in_Buddhism/AGFXqGgz">Awakening</a>. The <a href="/facts/Pali/HLQW2fvS">Pāli</a> word jambu is understood by Pāli dictionaries to refer to the <i>Syzygium cumini</i> which they often translate as the Rose-apple tree.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a> </p><p><a href="/facts/Krishna/oQVtX5MI">Krishna</a> was said to have four symbols of the jambu fruit on his right foot as mentioned in the <a href="/facts/Srimad_Bhagavatam/G6g1kxHY">Srimad Bhagavatam</a> commentary (verse 10.30.25), "Sri Rupa Chintamani" and "Ananda Candrika" by Srila <a href="/facts/Visvanatha_Chakravarti/n2IUGIzH">Visvanatha Chakravarti</a> Thakura.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28"><sup>28</sup></a> </p><p>In Maharashtra, <i>Syzygium cumini</i> leaves are used in marriage <a href="/facts/Pandal/egjzw5rP">pandal</a> decorations. A song from the 1977 film <i><a href="/facts/Jait_Re_Jait/aCYm1lfr">Jait Re Jait</a></i> mentions the fruit in the song "Jambhul Piklya Zaadakhali". </p><p>Besides the fruits, wood from <i>neredu</i> tree (as it is called in the region's language, <a href="/facts/Telugu_language/yV5dQWhw">Telugu</a>) is used in <a href="/facts/Andhra_Pradesh/d51Lb0kX">Andhra Pradesh</a> to make bullock cart wheels and other agricultural equipment. The timber of <i>neredu</i> is used to construct doors and windows. </p><p>Legend in <a href="/facts/Tamil_Nadu/ouqcjUKE">Tamil Nadu</a> speaks of <a href="/facts/Avvaiyar_(Sangam_poet)/7SVRxUbQ">Avvaiyar</a> (also Auvaiyar or Auvayar) of the <a href="/facts/Sangam_literature/xQaCAxcM">Sangam period</a> and the jamun fruit, called <i>naval pazham</i> in <a href="/facts/Tamil_language/7I0lHL0d">Tamil</a>. Avvaiyar, believing to have achieved everything that is to be achieved, is said to have been pondering over her retirement from Tamil literary work while resting under <i>naval pazham</i> tree. There she was met with and was wittily jousted by a disguised <a href="/facts/Murugan/yKmwcMhS">Murugan</a>, regarded as one of the guardian deities of Tamil language, who later revealed himself and made her realize that there is still a lot more to be done and learnt.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29"><sup>29</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="gallery">Gallery</h2> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Duhat_wine/DkxjTsRr">Duhat wine</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Jambudvipa/lKpt7Gbz">Jambudvipa</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Badlapur_Jamun/X3ok2lFW">Badlapur Jamun</a></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li> Media related to Syzygium cumini at Wikimedia Commons</li> <li><a href="https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Syzygium+cumini">"Syzygium cumini"</a>. <i><a href="/facts/Plants_for_a_Future/SfIWAPrk">Plants for a Future</a></i>.</li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Syzygium cumini". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 22 October 2017. <a href="https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=36128" target="_blank">https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=36128</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Syzygium cumini". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 22 October 2017. <a href="https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=36128" target="_blank">https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=36128</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Julia F Morton (1987). "Jambolan, Syzygium cumini Skeels". In: Fruits of Warm Climates, p. 375–378; NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html" target="_blank">https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Syzygium cumini (black plum)". CABI. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426" target="_blank">https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Syzygium cumini (black plum)". CABI. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426" target="_blank">https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Julia F Morton (1987). "Jambolan, Syzygium cumini Skeels". In: Fruits of Warm Climates, p. 375–378; NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html" target="_blank">https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 September 2024. <a href="https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/601603-1" target="_blank">https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/601603-1</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Julia F Morton (1987). "Jambolan, Syzygium cumini Skeels". In: Fruits of Warm Climates, p. 375–378; NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html" target="_blank">https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Syzygium cumini (black plum)". CABI. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426" target="_blank">https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"Syzygium cumini". Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk. 30 December 2011. <a href="http://www.hear.org/pier/species/syzygium_cumini.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hear.org/pier/species/syzygium_cumini.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Syzygium cumini (black plum)". CABI. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426" target="_blank">https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>"Syzygium cumini (black plum)". CABI. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426" target="_blank">https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Julia F Morton (1987). "Jambolan, Syzygium cumini Skeels". In: Fruits of Warm Climates, p. 375–378; NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html" target="_blank">https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Julia F Morton (1987). "Jambolan, Syzygium cumini Skeels". In: Fruits of Warm Climates, p. 375–378; NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html" target="_blank">https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>The encyclopedia of fruit & nuts, By Jules Janick, Robert E. Paull, p. 552 <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Chen, Jie & Craven, Lyn A., "Syzygium", in Wu, Zhengyi; Raven, Peter H. & Hong, Deyuan (eds.), Flora of China (online), eFloras.org, retrieved 2015-08-13 <a href="http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=132166" target="_blank">http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=132166</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Julia F Morton (1987). "Jambolan, Syzygium cumini Skeels". In: Fruits of Warm Climates, p. 375–378; NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html" target="_blank">https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>"Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 21 September 2024. <a href="https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/601603-1" target="_blank">https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/601603-1</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Syzygium cumini (black plum)". CABI. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426" target="_blank">https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>"Syzygium cumini". Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk. 30 December 2011. <a href="http://www.hear.org/pier/species/syzygium_cumini.htm" target="_blank">http://www.hear.org/pier/species/syzygium_cumini.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Julia F Morton (1987). "Jambolan, Syzygium cumini Skeels". In: Fruits of Warm Climates, p. 375–378; NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html" target="_blank">https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>"What is Kala Khatta Syrup ? Glossary | Benefits, Uses, Recipes with Kala Khatta Syrup |". <a href="https://www.tarladalal.com/glossary-kala-khatta-syrup-1959i#:~:text=This%20dark%20purple%2C%20sweet%20tangy,together%20on%20a%20wooden%20stick" target="_blank">https://www.tarladalal.com/glossary-kala-khatta-syrup-1959i#:~:text=This%20dark%20purple%2C%20sweet%20tangy,together%20on%20a%20wooden%20stick</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Julia F Morton (1987). "Jambolan, Syzygium cumini Skeels". In: Fruits of Warm Climates, p. 375–378; NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html" target="_blank">https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>J. H. Maiden (1889). The useful native plants of Australia : Including Tasmania. Turner and Henderson, Sydney. <a href="https://primo-slnsw.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=SLNSW_ALMA21105097830002626&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=EEA&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US" target="_blank">https://primo-slnsw.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=SLNSW_ALMA21105097830002626&context=L&vid=SLNSW&search_scope=EEA&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>Julia F Morton (1987). "Jambolan, Syzygium cumini Skeels". In: Fruits of Warm Climates, p. 375–378; NewCROP, New Crop Resource Online Program, Center for New Crops and Plant Products, Purdue University. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html" target="_blank">https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>"Syzygium cumini (black plum)". CABI. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 3 July 2020. <a href="https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426" target="_blank">https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/52426</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>Rhys-Davids, Pali-English Dictionary; Cone, Dictionary of Pali <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:28"><p>Vishvanatha, Cakravarti Thakura (2011). Sarartha-darsini (Bhanu Swami ed.). Sri Vaikunta Enterprises. p. 790. ISBN 978-81-89564-13-1. <a href="978-81-89564-13-1" target="_blank">978-81-89564-13-1</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:29"><p>Ramadevi, B. (3 March 2014). "The saint of the masses". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 May 2021. <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/the-saint-of-the-masses/article5746486.ece" target="_blank">https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/the-saint-of-the-masses/article5746486.ece</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>