Rose apple tree (Eugenia jambos, Syzygium jambos)
The Rose Apple tree (also known as Malabar Plum, Plum Rose, Water Apple) grows 3 to 9 meters (9 to 27 feet) high. It is typically a low-branching shrub with smooth dark brown bark. It has smooth, opposite, simple, dark green (red while growing), shiny leaves which are feather shaped (i.e. pointed at both ends). When fresh, it has fluffy, yellowish-green or greenish white flowers with very long stamens. The fruit is a red to purple egg-shaped fruit containing one or two large seeds that lie loose in a cavity when the fruit is ripe (you can shake the fruit to see if it is ripe). The skin of the fruit is thin and waxy.
Where to Rose apple trees in the wild
This tree is widely planted in all the tropics. It can also be found in a semi-wild state in thickets, waste places, and secondary forests.
Edible parts of Rose apple trees
The entire fruit is edible raw or cooked but is not particularly nutritious.
Other uses for Rose apple trees
The dense wood is a good source of charcoal. Other uses for Rose apple trees include:
Medicinal Uses
Different parts of the rose apple tree, including its leaves, bark, and fruit, are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. For example, the leaves are used to treat skin conditions, while the bark is used to treat diarrhea and dysentery.
Industrial Uses
The wood of the rose apple tree is used in the production of furniture, tools, and other items. The fruit can also be used to make jams, jellies, and other food products.
Insect Repellent
The leaves of the rose apple tree contain compounds that are effective in repelling insects. They can be used to make natural insect repellent sprays and lotions.
