Malabar plum

Malabar Plum (also known as Rose Apple or Syzygium samarangense) is a tropical fruit tree species belonging to the family Myrtaceae. Native to the Malabar region in India, the tree is widely cultivated in many parts of Southeast Asia for its fruit.

Description

The Malabar Plum tree is an evergreen tree that grows up to 12 meters tall. The leaves are lanceolate, 25–40 cm long and 10–20 cm broad. The flowers are white, with four petals and numerous stamens. The fruit is a bell-shaped, edible berry, with colors ranging from white, pale green, or green to red, purple, or crimson, to deep purple or even black.

Cultivation

Malabar Plum trees are grown in tropical and subtropical climates. They prefer full sun and are relatively drought resistant. The trees are propagated from seeds, which have a germination period of about a month. The trees start bearing fruit after three to four years.

Uses

The fruit of the Malabar Plum is consumed fresh and is also used in cooking. It is often used in salads, desserts, and in making jams and jellies. The fruit is also used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments.

Nutritional Value

The Malabar Plum is rich in Vitamin C and Dietary fiber. It also contains good amounts of Vitamin A, Calcium, and Iron.

See Also

• List of culinary fruits
• List of tropical fruits