Wax Apple

Syzygium samarangense

Beng/Hindi: Jamrul

A mid-sized evergreen tree from coastal topics of Asia, with many branches and short trunk and large oval-shaped oppositely arranged smooth leaves with an almost nonexistent stalk. A not so familiar tree (though the fruits are)

Bark:  Slightly rough, greyish, mature tree develop vertical fissures

Leaves: Oval shaped, oppositely arranged, 4-7’’ long, half as wide.

Flower: Whitish, in small clusters, scattered along the twigs, with numerous slender stamens

Fruit: Quite familiar. Shining, white, wax-like bell-shaped 2’’ across.

Season: Flowers appear in March and April, and the fruits ripen from April to June.

Distribution: Within Indian territory truly wild only in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Also found native in Malaysia and some other adjoining parts of south east Asia. Typically, it is found in scrub behind coastal beaches and in coastal forests.

Widely cultivated in tropical countries including India.

Trivia and notes: In India, mostly the white variety is found though of late a green and pinkish varieties are also becoming available. South east Asia has a plethora of varieties.

A very wind resistant tree (as it evolved as the first line of trees in coastal area)

Where to find: A few specimens almost all are young (but started flowing). A small tree in the north east section of the lake. 22.51105, 88.36426