Eugenia jambolana

Eugenia jambolana, also known as the Jamun tree, is a tropical evergreen tree in the flowering plant family Myrtaceae. It is native to the Indian Subcontinent, adjoining regions of Southeast Asia, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and the Andaman Islands. The tree was also introduced to Florida, USA, where it is known as the Jambolan.

Description

The Eugenia jambolana tree can reach heights of up to 30 meters and can live for more than 100 years. Its dense foliage provides shade and is grown just for its ornamental value. The leaves are glossy, elliptic, and are placed opposite each other. The tree produces small fragrant flowers in clusters at the end of branches.

Fruit

The fruit of the Eugenia jambolana tree is known as the Jamun fruit. It is an important summer fruit, associated with many health and medicinal benefits. The fruit is oblong, ovoid, starts green and turns pink to shining crimson black as it matures. A variant of the tree produces white colored fruit. The fruit has a combination of sweet, mildly sour and astringent flavor and tends to color the tongue purple.

Uses

The Eugenia jambolana tree and its parts are used for a variety of purposes. The timber of the tree is water-resistant and is used in the making of railway sleepers and to install motors in wells. The fruits and seeds are used in the making of wine and vinegar. They are also used in traditional medicine for digestive ailments. The leaves and bark are used for controlling blood pressure and gingivitis.

Cultivation

The Eugenia jambolana tree is hardy and requires little care once it has been established. It can be propagated by seed, which requires no pretreatment. The tree prefers tropical regions but can also thrive in subtropical climates.

In culture

In India, the Eugenia jambolana tree and its fruit are associated with the god Krishna, and the Mahabharata describes how he used to relish the fruits during his childhood.

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