Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels 

Scientific Name: Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels

Family: Myrtaceae 

Common Name: Java plum

Hindi Name: जामुन 

Description: Trees, 6-20 m tall. Branchlets greyish white when dry, terete. Petiole 1-2 cm; leaf blade broadly elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 6-12 × 3.5-7 cm, leathery, abaxially slightly pale when dry, adaxially brownish green to blackish brown and slightly glossy when dry, both surfaces with small glands, secondary veins numerous, 1-2 mm apart, and gradually extending into margin, intramarginal veins ca. 1 mm from margin, base broadly cuneate to rarely rounded, apex rounded to obtuse and with a short cusp. Inflorescences axillary on flowering branches or occasionally terminal, paniculate cymes, to 11 cm. Hypanthium obconic or long pyriform, ca. 4 mm or 7-8 mm. Calyx lobes inconspicuous, 0.3-0.7 mm. Petals 4, white or light purple, coherent, ovate and slightly rounded, ca. 2.5 mm. Stamens 3-4 mm. Style as long as stamens. Fruit red to black, ellipsoid to pot-shaped, 1-2 cm, 1-seeded; persistent calyx tube 1-1.5 mm. Fl. Feb-Mar or Apr-May, fr. Jun-Sep. 

Economic Importance:

The fruit pulp is used to make jams, jellies, juice, vinegar and puddings. Fruits are also used to make wine in vast quantities in the Philippines.

S. cumini flowers are rich in nectar and are useful in the apiculture for their yield of high-quality honey. 

Medicinal Importance:

• Various experimental studies have been done in the last few decades to confirm the activity of the fruits, seeds and stem bark against diabetes mellitus.

• The other common traditional medicinal properties include its use for curing diarrhoea, dysentery, obesity, enlarged spleen, mouth diseases etc. 

Cultural Importance:

• The leaves are used to make tea and are taken orally to treat diabetes in Brazil21 and have been reported to have antihyperglycemic effects.

• The bark used for brewing liquor.

Religious Importance:

• Jamun is also called "Fruit of God" and it has vast significance in Hindu religion and mythology.

• In ancient Hindu scriptures Surbhipatra, rajajambu, mahaphala, surbhi all are synonyms of Syzygium cumini.

• It is mentioned that Jamun is sweet and sour in taste, aggravates vata dosha and it is styptic and used to pacify kapha and pitta dosha, in Hindu scriptures.