Syzygium aqueum
Syzygium aqueum
The watery rose apple or water apple, bell fruit (Syzygium aqueum (Burm.f.) Alston 1929) is an arboreal species belonging to the Myrtaceae family.
Systematic –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Subkingdom Tracheobionta,
Spermatophyta Superdivision,
Division Magnoliophyta,
Class Magnoliopsida,
Subclass Rosidae,
Order Myrtales,
Myrtaceae family,
Subfamily Myrtoideae,
Syzygieae tribe,
Genus Syzygium,
Species S. aqueum.
The term is basionym:
– Eugenia aquea Burm.fil..
The terms are synonymous:
– Cerocarpus aqueus (Burm.fil.) Hassk.;
– Eugenia alba Roxb.;
– Eugenia aquea Burm.fil.;
– Eugenia callophylla (Miq.) Reinw.;
– Eugenia callophylla (Miq.) Reinw. ex DeVriese;
– Eugenia malaccensis Lour.;
– Eugenia mindanaensis C.B.Rob.;
– Eugenia nodiflora Aubl.;
– Eugenia obversa Miq.;
– Jambosa alba (Roxb.) G.Don;
– Jambosa ambigua Blume;
– Jambosa aquea (Burm.fil.) DC.;
– Jambosa calophylla Miq.;
– Jambosa madagascariensis Blume;
– Jambosa obtusissima (Blume) DC.;
– Jambosa samarangensis var. obtusissima (Blume) Blume;
– Jambosa subsessilis Miq.;
– Jambosa timorensis Blume;
– Malidra aquea (Burm.fil.) Raf.;
– Myrtus obtusissima Blume;
– Myrtus timorensis Zipp.;
– Myrtus timorensis Zipp. ex Span.;
– Syzygium obversum (Miq.) Masam..
Etymology –
The term Syzygium comes from the Greek words “sys”, i.e. together and “zygon”, i.e. yoke, in reference to the petals which in some species are united.
The specific epithet aqueum comes from the Latin “aqueum”, that is, watery, in reference to the pulp of the fruit.
Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Syzygium aqueum is a plant native to tropical Asia (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka) and Australia (Queensland).
Its habitat is that of humid tropical forests where the plant requires heavy rainfall and can survive in tropical habitats, up to 1600 m above sea level.
Description –
Syzygium aqueum is an evergreen tree, which grows between 3 and 10 m (occasional specimens up to 27 meters have been recorded in New Guinea), branched up to the base and with a small crown.
The bark is brown in colour, which cracks and flakes with age, and the foliage is thick and irregular.
The leaves are borne by a short petiole; they are opposite, obovate or elliptical-oblong in shape, chordate at the base, 5-22 cm long and 3-10 cm wide, light green in color above, yellowish green below, with a leathery consistency.
The inflorescences form in axillary and terminal positions; they are found on a long peduncle, carrying 3-7 flowers with 4 spatulate petals, about 0.7 cm long, of a light yellow or pink color and numerous stamens, of the same color as the petals, up to 2 cm long.
The fruits are pear-shaped or bell-shaped berries, flattened at both ends, 1.5-2 cm long and 2.5-3.5 cm wide, white, pink or red in colour, with white or pinkish pulp, crunchy or spongy, watery (the water content in the pulp exceeds 90%), refreshing, with a light sweetish flavour.
The fruits can be seedless or contain from 1 to 6, but more frequently 1-2.
Cultivation –
Syzygium aqueum is a plant whose larger specimens are sometimes harvested for their wood, which can be used locally or commercially. It is also often grown for its fruit in home gardens, where it is planted along paths and paths.
These trees frequently grow in fairly humid tropical lowlands at altitudes up to 1,200 – 1,600 meters.
It is typically a species with a humid tropical and subtropical climate with rainfall distributed almost uniformly throughout the year, grown in seasonal climates and requires a supply of water in the dry season; it cannot tolerate temperatures close to 0 °C for prolonged periods.
It requires exposure in full sun or light shade and is not particularly demanding regarding the soil, being able to grow in both sandy and light and heavy soils, even with water stagnation; It has good resistance to saltiness.
They grow best in areas with a fairly long dry season and the plants do not tolerate temperatures that drop below freezing.
It grows vigorously on poor, alkaline soil, although it prefers better conditions; that is, a light, well-drained and slightly acidic soil.
For cultivation they require a reliable water supply; for this reason it is often planted along watercourses or near ponds.
Plants propagated from seedlings start bearing fruit when they are about 7 – 8 years old, while plants growing in layers can bear fruit in 3 – 4 years.
Furthermore, the plants can flower and bear fruit two or three times a year.
The plant generally reproduces by seed, which must be planted in the shortest time possible, having a very short duration of germination, in a sandy and organic substrate kept humid, at a temperature of 22-24 °C, with the first fruiting taking place after 3-4 years; layering and grafting are also used to preserve particular characteristics of the mother plant, such as the absence of seeds.
Customs and Traditions –
Syzygium aqueum is a plant known by various common names; among these are: bellfruit, water-apple, water cherry, watery rose-apple (English); jambo ayer, jambosier d’eau, jambolanier d’eau, pomme d’eau, pomme de java (French); water apple (Italian); jambu air, jambu ayer mawar, jambu chili, jambu penawar (Malay); jambo ramo, jambo d’agua, jambeiro aguado (Portuguese – Brazil); cajuilito solimán, manzana de agua, perita costeña, perita de agua, tambis (Spanish); wasserjambuse (German).
In the Philippines it is known locally as tambis and is often confused with macopa (Syzygium samarangense).
The fruit has a very delicate, slightly sweet flavor similar to apples and a watery, crunchy texture like the inside of a watermelon. It is a staple at fruit stands in Southeast Asia, where it is inexpensive in season. It does not bruise easily and can be stored for months in the home refrigerator.
The fruits of this plant are rich in vitamins A and C and minerals; they are consumed fresh, as is or sliced in salads, locally, being highly perishable, or preserved in syrup or used to prepare drinks, ice cream and preserves.
The leaves are edible and are sometimes used to wrap food.
It is often grown in private gardens both as an ornamental plant and for its fruits. The wood, reddish in colour, of good quality, is used for tools and craft objects.
Furthermore, different parts of the plant are variously used in traditional medicine, laboratory studies have highlighted promising antioxidant and antihyperglycemic properties.
The wood, reddish in colour, of good quality, is used for tools and craft objects. The bark of the tree is sometimes used in herbal medicine.
Preparation Method –
Syzygium aqueum is a plant used for food, medicinal purposes, as a source of wood or for ornamental use.
The fruits are usually eaten raw, they can also be transformed into a syrup. They are crunchy and very juicy. They are lightly scented and have a sweet but delicate flavour. They are eaten raw to quench thirst.
Some selected varieties are also eaten in salads.
The dried leaves are eaten with vegetables.
In the medicinal field, various parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine and some have in fact been shown to possess antibiotic activity.
The fresh leaves are eaten raw, as a cure for malaria and pneumonia.
An infusion of the leaves is used in the treatment of stomach pain and dysentery.
Some parts of the plant are astringent due to the presence of tannins.
Guido Bissanti
Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora d’Italia, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.
Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/309989037/original.jpeg
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syzygium_aqueum#/media/File:Eugenia_sp_Blanco1.145-cropped.jpg
Attention: Pharmaceutical applications and food uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not represent in any way a medical prescription; we therefore decline any responsibility for their use for healing, aesthetic or food purposes.