Jambu: Children’s favourite fruit

Loved by children for the fruit it provides, this tree is fairly small growing upto about 10 m. It has large elliptic leaves with long pointed ends. The bark of the tree, a light grayish brown ranges between smooth and slightly fissured. Flakes peel off in patches.

The flowers of the Jambu are purplish red and very conspicuous. They appear clustered along the branches between May and June each year. But it is the fruit that make this tree well known. Either white or light or dark pink, depending on the variety, the fruit has a wax like feel on its outer skin. The skin is shiny. The fruit is scented. It tastes neither sweet nor sour but is a favourite with children.

The name Jambu is common to both Sinhalese and Tamil. In Tamil it is also known as Seeni Jambu. The scientific name is Syzgium malaccensis, a reference to its place of origin.

The Jambu introduced into Sri Lanka from Malaysia and India during the Portuguese era grows well at low and medium elevations. It is commonly found growing in home gardens and sometimes planted for its ornamental value.

~ By Ruk Rakaganno, The Tree Society of Sri Lanka.