Syzygium Cumini
Family : Myrtaceae
Common Name : Jamun
English Name : Jamun
Hindi Name : Jamun
Telugu Name : Neeredu
Bengali Name : Kala jam
Tree Characteristics :
Jambolan is a fast-growing, attractive, compact, evergreen shrub or tree with a dense, frondose crown. It usually grows 10 - 15 metres tall, but can reach a height of up to 35 metres. The straight bole is short, stout, and low branched, usually around 40 - 100cm in diameter. Jambolan is a very ancient fruit crop, cultivated for over 2,500 years in India, where it is venerated by Buddhists and Hindus. It is considered to be sacred to Krishna and is often planted near temples. The tree is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics for its edible fruit.
Nursery:
Fresh ripe fruits are heaped in the shade to rot and then washed in water to clean the pulp and get the seeds which are dried in the shade. Seeds lose viability quickly within 15 days and hence to be used immediately. Sowing in the nursery beds is done in June-July. Sowing is done in lines about 20 cms apart and the seeds in lines are spaced about 5 cms. Depth of sowing is 2.5 cms. Nursery beds should be watered regularly. Germination commences after a week. One month old seedling is transplanted into polybags. Development of seedlings is slow in the first season and one year old seedling is planted out.
Economic Uses :
Shade Tree;
Yeilds Jamun fruits; Bark is used in Tanning
Leaves are used as Fodder
Wood - used for beams and rafters, posts, bridges, boats, oars, masts, troughs, well-lining, agricultural implements, carts, solid cart wheels, rail
Edible Uses Fruit - raw or made into jams, sherbet, jellies, juice, tarts, puddings etc.
The fruit is juicy, almost odourless, with a pleasant, slightly bitter, astringent taste.
