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_: Native to Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, Afghanistan and Myanmar, jamun is also known as jambu, jambula, jamboola, java plum, jaam/kalojaam, jamblang, jambolan, black plum, damson plum, duhat plum, or Portuguese plum. Malabar plum may also refers to other species of Syzygium.
It is a tropical evergreen tree, growing to an average height of 95 feet with a robust trunk and spreading branches that break easily. Picking of the ripe fruit from the tree is very difficult due to height of the tree and weak branches. The fruit is oblong or ovoid in shape and becomes shiny black when ripe. It is propagated by seed.
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. 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. It is sometimes used to make cheap furniture and village dwellings though it is relatively hard to work on.
Jamun trees start flowering from March to April. The flowers of jamun are fragrant and small, about five mm in diameter. The fruits develop by May or June and resemble large berries.
The fruit is...