Family: Myrtaceae
Common name: Malabar plum, Java plum, Black plum, Indian blackberry, Jamun, Njaval pazham, Njaval, Naval pazham, Jaman, Jambul, Jambolan
Malabar plum or Jamun trees are grown for their glossy dark purple fruits that have a sweet, but astringent flavour. They are native to the Indian subcontinent and are strong, tall trees that live for over 100 years.
Tree characteristics
Jamun trees can grow 20-30 meters tall with a dense, wide-spreading crown and a sturdy gray-brown trunk. The bark is usually rough and scaly, peeling off in layers, especially in mature trees.
Leaves of the Jamun tree are simple, glossy and dull green with a leathery texture. They are elliptical in shape, about 10-15 cm long. Tender leaves could be reddish-pink turning green as they mature.
These leaves have an aroma when they are crushed, due to the presence of essential oils in them. Jamun trees produce small, beautiful, pom-pom like flowers with white or light pink petals.
During summer, these flowers appear in dense clusters at the ends of branches giving the tree a very festive appearance. Jamun flowers are about 1-2 cm in diameter with numerous stamens.
Since the flowers bloom in abundance, they emit a fragrance which attracts bees, insects, and butterflies to them.
After pollination, the tree produces oval or oblong berries that are 2-4 cm in long. Jamun fruits are initially green, turning pink, then red, and finally a deep purple color when they are ripe.
The skin is glossy, thin, and easily broken when they fall on the ground. The flesh of the Jamun fruit is soft, juicy, and sweet, but it has an underlying astringent flavor that leaves a sharp taste in the mouth.
These fruits are mostly eaten fresh, and sometimes made into jams, desserts, and beverages. Jamun fruits ripen from July to September when the entire tree is covered with glossy purple fruits that attract birds, bats, and other small animals that feast on the abundance.
Gardening Tips
Jamun trees can be easily grown in home gardens, parks, or landscaped areas. They need good sunlight and a warm, tropical climate. These trees are quite sturdy and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions like clayey, loamy soils.
Young plants need regular watering and fertilization, but once the tree is mature, they will continue to yield fruits year after year with very little care and maintenance.
Pruning can be done to keep the tree rounded and bushy. Jamun trees are susceptible to aphids and fruit flies, and hence need to be sprayed with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Since Jamun trees grow very tall and live for many decades, they should be planted in a location with good sunlight and space to grow.
Uses of Jamun
Jamun trees have range of uses from their bark to leaves to fruits. The fruits are eaten ripe or used to make jams, jellies, preserves, and beverages like wine.
Dried and ground seeds are used for making a coffee-like beverage. Seeds and bark are used in treatment of wounds, dysentery, mouth ulcers, gum diseases, and diabetes.
Jamun fruits are used to treat diabetes, colic, diarrhea. The bark yields a brown dye, and are also used to make furniture, agricultural implements, cart wheels, boats, cabinets, and chests. Small branches are used to whiten the teeth.
Different parts of the plant have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant properties and are useful in preventing heart diseases, skin disorders, respiratory infections, and cancer.
Jamun tree is revered in the Hindu culture and is associated with Lord Krishna. The leaves are used during religious festivals and rituals.
Propagation
Jamun trees can be propagated through seeds, cuttings, and grafting. Seed propagation is the most common method but takes longer to bear fruit, while grafting and air layering ensure faster fruiting.
Semi-hardwood cuttings that are 20-30 cm long can be treated with rooting hormone and planted in well-draining soil till they take root. Grafting involves placing a piece of a mature tree onto the rootstock of the same species to produce new trees.
Air layering is done by removing the outer bark from a small area of a healthy stem and wrapping the area in moss and plastic sheet, till roots grow from that area.
Photographed at: Rachenahalli lake park, Bangalore
