What is Jambul?
Q: What is Jambul?
A: Jambul, also known as Jamun or Jamblang, is an evergreen tropical tree in the flowering plant family Myrtaceae, native to India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
Q: Where has it been introduced?
A: The tree was introduced to Florida, USA in 1911 by the USDA and is also now commonly planted in Suriname. It was also introduced from India during Portuguese colonisation to Brazil where it has spread out in the wild.
Q: How tall can a Jamun tree grow?
A: A fairly fast growing species, a Jamun tree can grow up to 30 metres high and can live more than 100 years.
Q: What are some of its uses?
A: Its dense foliage provides shade and is grown just for its ornamental value. The wood is strong and water resistant so it's 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.
Q: When does the Jamun tree start flowering?
A: The Jamun tree starts flowering in March-April with small fragrant flowers that are nearly 5 millimetres in diameter.
Q: What does the fruit look like when ripe?
A: The fruit appears after the flowers have bloomed around May-June resembling a large berry that is oblong and ovoid. It starts off green when just appearing then turns pink as it matures before becoming a shining crimson black when fully ripe. There is another variety that comes white too which some people say can be used as medicine.
