AgroForestryTree Database
Syzygium malaccense
 Species identityEcology and distributionPropagation and managementFunctional usesPests and diseasesAdditional InfoBibliographyImages |
Species identity
TaxonomySynonym(s)
Common names
(Burmese) : thabyo-thabyay
(Filipino) : pomerac, tersana
(French) : poirier de Malaque
(Indonesian) : jambu bol
(Malay) : jambu bol
(Thai) : chomphu-saraek (central)
(Vietnamese) : cay roi
Botanic description
Tree, 5-20 m tall, with straight trunk, 20-45 cm diameter, often branched near the base and with broadly ovoid canopy. Leaves opposite, elliptic-oblong, 15-38 cm x 7-20 cm, thick-coriaceous, petiole 0.5-1.5 cm long, thick, red when young. Inflorescences exclusively on defoliate twig-parts, short and dense, 1-12- flowered; flowers 5-7 cm in diameter, red; calyx-tube ventricose towards apex, 1.5-2 cm long, with broad lobes 4-8 mm long; petals 4, oblong-ovate or orbicular-ovate, up to 2 cm long, dark red; stamens numerous, up to 3.5 cm long, with red filaments; style 3-4.5 cm long, red. Fruit a berry, ellipsoid, 5-8 cm in diameter, crowned by the incurved non-fleshy calyx segments, dark red or purplish-yellow or yellow-white; flesh 0.5-2.5 cm thick, juicy, white, fragrant. Seed 1 per fruit, globose, 2.5-3.5 cm in diameter, brown.
Ecology and distribution
History of cultivationThe trees of S. malaccense are cultivated in home gardens, often planted along driveways and paths.
Natural Habitat
The trees are at home in fairly moist tropical lowlands up to 1200 m elevation. Malay apple is restricted to the wetter climates. The species require a reliable water supply and are often planted along streams or ponds.
The species presumably originated in South-East Asia. S. malaccense being more restricted to Java, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Current distribution ranges from India through South-East Asia to the Pacific Islands (the Malay apple features in Fijian mythology). S. malaccense is also grown in appreciable numbers in Central and South America.
Biophysical limitsAltitude: Up to 1200 m. Soil types: The trees prefer heavy soils and easy access to water instead of having to search for water in light deep soils.
Reproductive Biology
There are definite flowering seasons, often two, sometimes three in a year, but the timing varies from year to year. There seems to be no regular growth rhythm for Malay apple. Apparently the trees are triggered into bloom (by wet weather following a dry period) more readily than water apple (S. aqueum) and wax jambu (S. samarangense) trees; at any rate, Malay apple usually has the most crops per year. Malay apples ripen about 60 days after bloom.
Propagation and management
Propagation methodsPropagation from seed is common. Seeds are sometimes abortive. Seeds lose their viability quickly and should be sown fresh from the fruit. Clonal propagation through air layers, cuttings or budding is not difficult. Air layering is commonly employed in South-East Asia. The modified Forkert method is recommended for budding. Seedlings of the same or other Syzygium species are used as rootstocks. In Java 'jambu klampok' or 'kopo' (S. pycnanthum Merr. & Perry, syn. Eugenia densiflora (Blume) Duthie) is recommended as rootstock because it is hardy and not attacked by termites.Tree Management
Tree spacing ranges from 6-8 m. The trees receive little attention after the first year or two when manuring, weeding, mulching and watering ensure rapid increase of tree volume. Trees which bear well benefit from compound fertilizers applied after harvest and supplemented with a top dressing as soon as the inflorescences are being formed. There appears to be no experience with pruning or fruit thinning.
Functional uses
ProductsFood: The tree is grown for their fruit, which substitute for one another in the marketplace. Whereas S. malaccense can easily be recognized, it is not easy to distinguish between the various S. aqueum and S. samarangense fruits. The ripe fruit is sweet and is mainly eaten fresh. Malay apples are often stewed with other fruit to tone down the sour taste of the latter. Medicine: Various parts of the tree are used in traditional medicine, and some have in fact been shown to possess antibiotic activity. In particular the bark, leaves and roots of Malay apple are used against different ailments in a number of countries, also outside Asia (e.g. Hawaii, Brazil). Timber: The wood is reddish, hard and grows to dimensions large enough for construction purposes.Pests and diseasesThere are no specific recommendations for crop protection, but the incidence of pests and diseases certainly warrants a study of the causal organisms and their control.
Additional Information
DevelopmentPolyembryony occurs in the genus and has been observed in Malay apple seed. Shoot growth proceeds in flushes which are more or less synchronous, depending on the climate. The juvenile period lasts for 3-7 years. Bearing of clonal trees starts after 3-5 years.Properties
Food: The Malay apple is usually red with pink or white streaks; the flesh is thick, rather dry and scented, but often insipid. Eighty per cent or more of the fruit is edible. The composition of the species per 100 g edible portion is similar with S. samarangense: water more than 90%, protein 0.3 g, fat none, carbohydrates 3.9 g, fibre 1 g, vitamin A 253 IU, vitamin B1 and B2 traces, vitamin C 0.1 mg, energy value 80 kJ/100 g (analysis for S. samarangense in Thailand). Tannin or dyestuff: In some plant parts are astringent because of the presence of tannins.
Trade
Much of the home-grown fruit reaches the market and almost available throughout the year. Export is limited to some border trade, e.g. to Singapore.
Yields
Harvesting: Good crops can be produced. The fruits have a thin skin and are delicate; they need to be picked by hand twice a week and handled with care. The fruit should be consumed or preserved within a few days from harvest. Malay apple yields of 20-85 kg/tree are reported.
Genetic
Genetic resources and breeding: There is no information on germplasm collections; genetic erosion is considered serious in the species. Breeding work may be premature but everyone agrees that there is much scope for selection of superior forms. The Institute of Plant Breeding in Los Baħos has trees of several clones of Malay apple, but formal trials are needed to compare the more promising forms.
Prospects
Fruit science has paid little attention to these crops, presumably because they are not planted in orchards, and because the short shelf life limits possibilities for commercialization. Nevertheless there is a ready market for the home-grown fruit, indicating that the fruit is quite popular. Growth and development of the trees need to be observed more closely to gain a better insight into the growth rhythm, including the timing and intensity of bloom, and quantitative aspects of yield. In so doing the basis is also laid for selection of superior types.