| Jambul | |
|---|---|
| Jambul (Syzygium cumini) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Rosids |
| Order: | Myrtales |
| Family: | Myrtaceae |
| Genus: | Syzygium |
| Species: | S. cumini |
| Binomial name | |
| Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels. |
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| Synonyms | |
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Jambul (Syzygium cumini) is an evergreen tropical tree in the flowering plant family Myrtaceae. Jambul is native to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. The name of the fruit is sometimes mistranslated as blackberry, which is a different fruit in an unrelated family.
Jambul is also known as Jambhul/jambu/jambula/jamboola, Java plum, jamun, jaam/kalojaam, jamblang, jambolan, black plum, Damson plum, Duhat plum, Jambolan plum, or Portuguese plum. Malabar plum may also refer to other species of Syzygium. In Tamil, this fruit is called Naaval Pazham or Navva Pazham.
The tree was introduced to Florida, USA in 1911 by the USDA, and is also now commonly grown in Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. In Brazil, where it was introduced from India during Portuguese colonization, it has dispersed spontaneously in the wild in some places, as its fruits are eagerly sought by various native birds such as thrushes, tanagers and the Great Kiskadee. This species is considered an invasive in Hawaii, USA.[1]
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A fairly fast growing species, it can reach heights of up to 30 m and can live more than 100 years. Its dense foliage provides shade and is grown just for its ornamental value. The wood is strong and is water resistant. Because of this it is used in railway sleepers and to install motors in wells. It is sometimes used to make cheap furniture and village dwellings though it is relatively hard to work on.
Jambul trees start flowering from March to April. The flowers of jambul are fragrant and small, about 5 mm in diameter. The fruits develop by May or June and resemble large berries. The fruit is oblong, ovoid, starts green and turns pink to shining crimson black as it matures. A variant of the tree produces white coloured fruit. The fruit has a combination of sweet, mildly sour and astringent flavour and tends to colour the tongue purple. The seed is also used in various alternative healing systems like Ayurveda (to control diabetes, for example.[2]), Unani and Chinese medicine for digestive ailments. The leaves and bark are used for controlling blood pressure and gingivitis. Wine and vinegar are also made from the fruit. It has a high source in vitamin A and vitamin C.[3][4][5]
Jambul has been spread overseas from India by Indian emigrants and at present is common in former tropical British colonies.[6]
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 251 kJ (60 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 15.56 g |
| Fat | 0.23 g |
| Protein | 0.72 g |
| Water | 83.13 g |
| Vitamin A | 3 IU |
| Thiamine (vit. B1) | 0.006 mg (1%) |
| Riboflavin (vit. B2) | 0.012 mg (1%) |
| Niacin (vit. B3) | 0.260 mg (2%) |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.160 mg (3%) |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.038 mg (3%) |
| Vitamin C | 14.3 mg (17%) |
| Calcium | 19 mg (2%) |
| Iron | 0.19 mg (1%) |
| Magnesium | 15 mg (4%) |
| Phosphorus | 17 mg (2%) |
| Potassium | 79 mg (2%) |
| Sodium | 14 mg (1%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. Source: USDA Nutrient Database |
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The leaf composition is shown in the tables below.
| Java Plum Leaf | |
|---|---|
| Compound | Percent |
| Crude Protein | 9.1 |
| Fat | 4.3 |
| Crude Fiber | 17.0 |
| Ash | 6.0 |
| Calcium | 1.3 |
| Phosphorus | 0.19 |
| Source: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/jambolan.html | |
According to Hindu tradition, Rama subsisted on the fruit in the forest for 14 years during his exile from Ayodhya. Because of this, many Hindus regard jambul as a 'fruit of the gods,' especially in Gujarat, India, where it is known locally as jamboon.
Lord Krishna has been described as having skin the color of Jamun. In Hindu mythology several protagonists have been described as having the color of jambul.
In Maharashtra, jambul (locally known as jāmbhūḷ Marathi :जांभूळ) leaves are used in marriage pandal decorations. There is famous Marathi song "Jambhul pikalya zada khali...". The seeds are supposed to helpful for Diabetic people and those used as herbal tea.
There is a very famous legend that is associated with Auvaiyar (also Auvayar) (Tamil: ஔவையார்), a prominent female poets/ethicist/political activist of Sangam period (Tamil literature), and Naaval Pazham(Jambu) in Tamil Nadu. Auvaiyar, believing to have achieved everything that is to be achieved, said to have been pondering over her retirement from Tamil literary work while resting under Naaval Pazham tree. But she was met with and was wittily jousted by a disguised Lord Murugan (regarded as one of the guardian deities of Tamil language), who later revealed himself and made her realize that there is still a lot more to be done and learnt. Following this awakening, Auvaiyar is believed to have undertaken a fresh set of literary works, targeted at children. These works, even after a millennium,are often among the very first literature that children are exposed to in Tamil Nadu schools.
This tree is called Neredu(నేరేడు) in Telugu. Besides the fruits, wood from Neredu tree is used in Andhra Pradesh to make bullock cart wheels and other agricultural equipment. Culturally, beautiful eyes are compared to this fruit. In the great epic of India Mahabharatha Sri Krishnas'[Lord Vishnu] body color is compared to this fruit as well.
The tree is called Njaval and the fruit is called najavalpazham in Malayalam. The fruit is available widely in Kollam district.