Syzygium cumini

This article is about the tropical tree. For the dessert popular in South Asian cuisine, see Gulab Jamun.

Jambul
Jambul (Syzygium cumini)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Myrtales
Family:	Myrtaceae
Genus:	Syzygium
Species:	S. cumini
Binomial name
Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels.

Jambul (Syzygium cumini) is an evergreen tropical tree in the flowering plant family Myrtaceae, native to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Indonesia. The word 'Jambul' is sometimes mistranslated as 'Blackberry', which is a different fruit.

Jambul is also known as Jaam/Kalojaam, Jamun, Nerale Hannu, Njaval,Neredupandu, Jamblang, Jambolan, Jambula, Black Plum, Damson Plum, Duhat Plum, Jambolan Plum, Java Plum or Portuguese Plum. "Malabar plum" may also refer to other species of Syzygium.

Historically, the tree was exclusive to the Indian Sub-continent, and so widespread across the region that one of the old names of India (or the Indian region) is Jambu-Dvipa (literally: the island of jambul fruit). It is now also grown in other areas of southern and southeastern Asia including the Philippines, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. The tree was also introduced to Florida, USA in 1911 by the USDA, and is also now commonly grown in Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. In Brazil, where it was introduced from India during Portuguese colonization, it has dispersed spontaneously in the wild in some places, as its fruits are eagerly sought by various native birds such as thrushes, tanagers and the Great Kiskadee. Scientific synonyms include Syzygium jambolanum, Eugenia cumini and Eugenia jambolana.

Description

Ripe jambul fruits for sale in a HAL market in Bangalore

Close view of foliage

A fairly fast growing species, it can reach heights of up to 30 m and can live more than 100 years. Its dense foliage provides shade and is grown just for its ornamental value. The wood is strong and is water resistant. Because of this it is used in railway sleepers and to install motors in wells. It is sometimes used to make cheap furniture and village dwellings though it is relatively hard to work on.

Jambul trees start flowering from March to April. The flowers of jambul are fragrant and small, about 5 mm in diameter. The fruits develop by May or June and resemble large berries. The fruit is oblong, ovoid, starts green and turns pink to shining crimson black as it matures. A variant of the tree produces white coloured fruit. The fruit has a combination of sweet, mildly sour and astringent flavour and tends to colour the tongue purple. The seed is also used in various alternative healing systems like Ayurveda (to control diabetes, for example.), Unani and Chinese medicine for digestive ailments. The leaves and bark are used for controlling blood pressure and gingivitis. Wine and vinegar are also made from the fruit. It has a high source in vitamin A and vitamin C.

Jambul has been spread overseas from India by Indian emigrants and at present is common in former tropical British colonies.

Nutrients and Phytochemicals

Java Plum, raw

Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy	251 kJ (60 kcal)
Carbohydrates	15.56 g
Fat	0.23 g
Protein	0.72 g
Vitamins and minerals Vitamins Quantity %DV† Vitamin A 3 IU Thiamine (B1) 1% 0.006 mg Riboflavin (B2) 1% 0.012 mg Niacin (B3) 2% 0.260 mg Pantothenic acid (B5) 3% 0.160 mg Vitamin B6 2% 0.038 mg Vitamin C 16% 14.3 mg Minerals Quantity %DV† Calcium 1% 19 mg Iron 1% 0.19 mg Magnesium 4% 15 mg Phosphorus 1% 17 mg Potassium 3% 79 mg Sodium 1% 14 mg
Other constituents	Quantity
Water	83.13 g
†Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults, except for potassium, which is estimated based on expert recommendation from the National Academies.

The leaf composition is shown in the tables below.

Java Plum Leaf
Compound	Percent
Crude Protein	9.1
Fat	4.3
Crude Fiber	17.0
Ash	6.0
Calcium	1.3
Phosphorus	0.19
Source: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html

Religious significance

According to Hindu tradition, Rama subsisted on the fruit in the forest for 14 years during his exile from Ayodhya. Because of this, many Hindus regard jambul as a 'fruit of the gods,' especially in Gujarat, India, where it is known locally as jamboon.

Lord Krishna has been described as having skin the color of Jamun. In Hindu mythology several protagonists have been described as having the color of jambul.

In Maharashtra culture

In Maharashtra, jambul (locally know as jambhul Devanagari :जांभूळ) leaves is use as marriage pendals.

Ancient Tamil culture

There is a very famous legend that is associated with Auvaiyar (also Auvayar) (Template:Lang-ta), a prominent female poets/ethicist/political activist of Sangam period (Tamil literature) period, and Naaval Pazham(Jambu) in Tamil Nadu. Auvaiyar, believing to have achieved everything that is to be achieved, said to have been pondering over her retirement from Tamil literary work while resting under Naaval Pazham tree. But she was met with and was wittily jousted by a disguised Lord Murugan (regarded as one of the guardian deities of Tamil language), who later revealed himself and made her realize that there is still a lot more need to be done and learnt. Following this awakening, Auvaiyar has believed to have undertaken fresh set of literary works, targeted at children. These works, even after a millennium, often are among the very first literature children are exposed to in Tamil Nadu schools.

In Telugu culture

This tree is called Neredu in Telugu. Besides the fruits, wood from Neredu tree is used in Andhra Pradesh to make bullock cart wheels and other agricultural equipment. Culturally, beautiful eyes are compared to this fruit. In the great epic of India Mahabharatha Sri Krishnas'[Lord Vishnu] body color is compared to this fruit as well.