Rose apple

Rose apples

Rose apples originate from South East Asia.

The crispy rose apple fruits smell and taste like rose water. They are eaten fresh without removing the skin.

Names

Scientific
   Syzygium jambos
Synonym
   Eugenia jambos
   Jambosa jambos
English
   Malabar plum
   Malay apple
   Plum rose
   Rose apple
   Water apple
   Wax apple
Dutch
   Djamboe aer mawar
   Rozenappel
Spanish
   Pomarrosa
French
   Jam-rose
   Jambrosade
   Jamrosat
   Pomme rose
German
   Malabarpflaume
   Rosenapfel

Taxonomy

Genus
   Syzygium
Family
   Myrtaceae
Order
   Myrtales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

South East Asia

Evergreen or deciduous:

This is an evergreen tree.

Flowers:

A showy terminal inflorescence, usually with four whitish-green flowers on the outside of the crown

Leaves:

Leaves are long and glossy.

Fruits:

Fruits are about 5 cm long with a whitish-green color, but color variations exist including red skinned fruits. The skin is thin and waxy.

Climate and weather:

This species requires a tropical or near tropical climate. It growth at altitudes up to 900 meter.

Height:

Growth as a shrub or as a medium sized tree, 7 to 12 meter tall.

Type of soil:

Prefers deep loamy soil. But can tolerate sand or limestone with very little organic matter.

Spacing (close range)

8 meter

Spacing (wide range)

12 meter

Propagation:

Usually grown from seed.

Insect pests:

Few insect problems. Aphids.

Diseases:

Sometimes a sooty mold growing on honeydew excreted by aphids. Leaf spot. Anthracnose. Fusarium root rot.

Harvesting:

Pick by hand from the tree. Fruits should be used soon after picking because they spoil soon. Fruits ripen over an extended period of time.

Uses:

Eat the rose apple fruits fresh (the skin can be eaten too). Fruits are crisp with the taste (and smell) of rose water.

Crop categories

Fruits
Food crops
Tropical crops

Pictures