Common Name: Jambolan

General Information

Syzygium cumini is a fast-growing, attractive, compact, evergreen shrub or tree with a dense, frondose crown[, ]. It usually grows 10 - 15 metres tall, but can reach a height of up to 35 metres. The straight bole is short, stout, and low branched, usually around 40 - 100cm in diameter[, , ].
Jambolan is a very ancient fruit crop, cultivated for over 2,500 years in India, where it is venerated by Buddhists and Hindus. It is considered to be sacred to Krishna and is often planted near temples[]. The tree is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics for its edible fruit[, , 303.]. The fruits and the seeds (for medicinal purposes) are sold in local markets[]. It is also planted for shade, ornament, windbreaks, and hedges[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China, India, Malaysia.

Habitat

Most tropical and subtropical forest habitats in India, ranging from evergreen broadleaved to deciduous and coniferous, from wet to fairly dry areas, near the coast and even in swamps[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres[, ]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 32°c, but can tolerate 12 - 48°c[]. Mature growth can be killed by temperatures of -2°c or lower, whilst young growth is killed at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 6,000mm, but tolerates 800 - 9,900mm[]. Plants can withstand a dry season of up to 6 - 7 months[].
Although it prefers a sunny position, plants are moderately shade-tolerant, especially when young[, ]. A very versatile plant able to grow on a wide range of soils, it can even grow on shallow, rocky soils provided the rainfall is sufficient[, ]. It tolerates prolonged flooding, and once established, it can tolerate drought[]. In dry sites, it generally confines itself to the vicinity of watercourses[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 8[]. Plants are tolerant of quite strong winds[].
Trees self-sow freely and may become serious pests in pastures[]. The plant is listed as undesirable in Florida[].
A fast-growing plant[, ]. Seedlings may reach a height of 4 metres in only 2 years[, ].
The tree coppices remarkably well; vigorous shoots are produced in large numbers from small and large stumps alike. Coppice stands along streams have been reported that grew to 4.6 metres in 4 years[].
The best forms are frequently cultivated in Java and Florida[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or made into jams, sherbet, jellies, juice, tarts, puddings etc[, ]. The fruit is juicy, almost odourless, with a pleasant, slightly bitter, astringent taste[]. The purple, olive-shaped fruit is somewhat astringent[]. The astringency can be removed by soaking the fruit in salt water prior to cooking it[]. The fruit tends to be of variable quality, at best it is pleasantly and mildly acidic[]. The oblong fruit is about 20mm long x 18mm wide[].

A coffee-like beverage is made from the dried and ground up seeds[].

Medicinal

Both the seeds and the fruit are diuretic and have important carminative and astringent properties[]. The seeds also reduce blood sugar levels and are useful in the treatment of diabetes[, ].

The seeds and bark are well known in the Far East for the treatment of dysentery and in the control of hyperglycaemia and glycosuria in diabetic patients[].
The juice of the bark is considered good for treating wounds and enlargement of the spleen[].

The bark is astringent[, ]. An infusion is used to treat irregular menstruation, diarrhoea, dysentery, children's thrush etc[].
The bark is used as a gargle to strengthen gums, treat mouth ulcers etc[].

The ripe fruit is astringent and is used as an effective treatment for diabetes[]. Fruits are used as a relief for colic and to treat diarrhoea[, ].

An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of diabetes and diarrhoea[].

The wood yields a sulphate pulp that has medicinal uses[].

The roots are sometimes used as a treatment for epilepsy[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is amenable to trimming and can be grown as a hedge or to provide shelter from the wind[].
In perennial plant systems it is often interplanted as a shade-provider with crops such as bananas, coffee and cocoa[, ].
The flowers are very attractive to bees, yielding a quality honey[].

Other Uses

The bark contains 13 - 19% tannins[]. It has served in tanning and also yields a brown dye that has been used in colouring and preserving fishnets[].

The branches are used to whiten the teeth[].

The reddish-grey or reddish-brown heartwood is fine grained and is utilized in exterior joinery and carpentry. Wood is durable in water, resistant to termites[, ], and although difficult to work, it saws and machines well and is used for construction, boat building, commercial tea and chest plywood, agricultural implements, tool handles, cart wheels, well curbs and troughs, sleepers, furniture and as props for shafts and galleries in mines. It is also used for building bridges and for making musical instruments, especially guitars[].
The wood has a specific gravity of 0.77 and burns well, giving off about 4 800 kcal/kg. It is a fast-growing tree, which provides excellent firewood and charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - freshly collected seeds are normally sown in nursery beds at a depth of 20 - 25mm during the rainy season and germinate in 2 - 4 weeks at a rate 20 - 90%[]. Plants are pricked out when 6 - 9 months old into beds 30 x 30 cm[]. For development of seedlings, moisture is even more important than shade, as seedlings in the sun develop well, provided the soil is kept moist, but seedlings in the shade die if the soil is dry[]. Seedlings are somewhat frost tender, particularly on grassy ground, where they are frequently killed back[303. Sapling growth is faster than seedling growth. Seedlings 1-3 years old can be planted out without any difficulty[].
Air-layering.
Grafting.

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