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Syzygium malaccense

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Syzygium malaccense (L.) Merr. & Perry

Family Name: Myrtaceae
Synonyms: Acca malaccensis, Eugenia domestica, Eugenia malaccensis
Common Name: Malay Apple, Pomerac, Jambu Bol, Jambu Merah

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Medium (16m-30m), Small (6m-15m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 5 m to 20 m
Tree or Palm – Trunk Diameter 0 to 0

Biogeography

Native Distribution Malaysia, Indonesia
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology Growth Form: Small to medium-sized, evergreen tree with a wide, ovoid crown. Habitat: Occurs in moist tropical lowlands at altitudes of 0 - 1200 m. Trunk: Straight trunk is usually low branching (0.2 - 0.45 m wide). Foliage: Opposite leaves are oblong to elliptic with entire leaf margin (15 - 38 cm long, 7 - 20 cm wide). Flowers: Reddish pink, pom-pom shaped flowers (5 - 7 cm wide) are arranged in clusters of 1 - 12 on branches that have shed their leaves. Fruits: Fleshy, ellipsoid fruits known as berries (5 - 8 cm wide) are typically dark red with white or pink streaks, but can also be whitish or yellowish. Each fruit contains 1 round, brown seed (2.5 - 3.5 cm wide). Mature fruits form within 2 months of blooming. Landscaping: This species is grown as a fruit tree in home gardens. It is often planted near streams and ponds, because it requires a consistent supply of water. Cultivation: This species grows best in heavy soils that are well-draining but moist. Trees should be spaced 6 - 8 m apart. Feed with a compound fertilizer after harvesting the fruits. Propagation: Propagate by seed, budding, air layering, grafting and stem cuttings. Propagation by seed is often used. Etymology: The genus name "Syzygium" is derived from the Greek word "suzugos" which means joined. Syzygium used to be the name of a Jamaican plant species with paired leaves and branches.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits
Food (Fruit or Vegetable)
Others: Food: The fruits are consumed raw or cooked. They are sometimes mixed with other fruits and stewed. Although this species is grown in home gardens for its fruits, it is not grown in commercial orchards. Other: Its hard, reddish wood is sometimes used as timber.

Landscaping Features

Thematic Landscaping Economic Garden

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils
Propagation Method Seed, Stem Cutting, Grafting, Air-Layering
Planting Distance 6 m to 8 m

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Thick
Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) Red
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Opposite
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical, Oblong)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Acute
Typical Foliar Area Mesophyll ( 45cm2 - 182.25 cm2 ), Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm) Woody
Root Type Underground (Tap Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Pink
Flower Symmetry Radial
Flower Size - Remarks 5 - 7 cm wide
Flowering Period Hot & Dry Period

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Red
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit , Berry

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1870
Species ID 3163
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 18 February 2022.
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