Family: MYRTACEAE
Genus: Syzygium
Species: samarangense
Species Author: (Blume) Merr. & L. M. Perry
Vernacular: Java Apple, Wax Apple, Jambosa, robotol - Palauan [Hosaka 3353], rebotel - Palauan [Fosberg 47435], rebotal - Palauan [Fosberg 25784], faniap - [Anderson 1208], Asi - Samoan [Lorence 8683]
Synonyms: Eugenia javanica, Myrtus samarangensis
The tree grows 16 to 50 ft (5-15 m) tall and has a short trunk with thick and open, widespreading crown and pinkish-gray, flaking bark. The opposite leaves are very aromatic when crushed, nearly sessile, elliptic-oblong, rounded or slightly cordate at the base, yellowish to dark bluish-green in color. Flowers, borne in drooping panicles of 3 to 30 at the branch tips or in smaller clusters in the axils of fallen leaves, are fragrant, yellowish-white with 4 petales and numerous stamens. The waxy fruit, usually light-red, sometimes greenish-white or cream-colored, is pear-shaped, narrow at the base, very broad, flattened and adorned with 4 fleshy calyx lobes at the apex. The skin is very thin, the flesh is white, spongy, dry to juicy, subacid and very bland in flavor. There may be 1 or 2 somewhat rounded seeds or no seeds at all.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
The flowers are astringent and used in Taiwan to treat fever and halt diarrhea. Investigators have found the flowers principal constituent to be tannin. In scientific research the flowers have shown weak antibiotic action against Staphylococcus aureus, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Candida albicans.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
The red, hard wood is used for constructing huts in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)
Java Apple tree is indigenous from Malaya to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands where there are wild trees in the coastal forests. It has been introduced in many Asian and Indian countries.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
The pink fruits are juicier and more flavorful and suitable for eating out-of-hand. In Malaya, the greenish fruits are eaten raw with salt or may be cooked as a sauce. They are also stewed with true apples.
(Morton, J. 1987. Fruits of Warm Climates.)
We currently have 28 herbarium specimens for Syzygium samarangense in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.
- 079461 - collected by F. R. Fosberg in 1946
- 022454 - collected by E. Y. Hosaka in 1946
- 022453 - collected by F. R. Fosberg in 1946
- 022229 - collected by D. Anderson in 1950
- 022266 - collected by D. Anderson in 1950
- 022611 - collected by F. R. Fosberg in 1950
- 022449 - collected by F. R. Fosberg in 1965
- 075396 - collected by Art Whistler in 1973
- 075390 - collected by Art Whistler in 1973
- 075388 - collected by Art Whistler in 1974
- 075398 - collected by Art Whistler in 1974
- 075389 - collected by Art Whistler in 1974
- 075399 - collected by Art Whistler in 1975
- 075385 - collected by Art Whistler in 1975
- 075728 - collected by Art Whistler in 1975
- 075387 - collected by Art Whistler in 1975
- 075392 - collected by Art Whistler in 1975
- 075391 - collected by Art Whistler in 1975
- 075393 - collected by Art Whistler in 1976
- 045134 - collected by G. P. Buelow in 1979
- 032417 - collected by Art Whistler in 1991
- 032416 - collected by Art Whistler in 1991
- 075395 - collected by Art Whistler in 1993
- 075394 - collected by Art Whistler in 1993
- 027656 - collected by David H. Lorence in 1998
- 075397 - collected by Art Whistler in 2000
- 035188 - collected by David H. Lorence in 2001
- 049071 - collected by Michael J. Balick in 2007
