Java Apple, Samarange Syzygium

Scientific Name : Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & L. M. Perry
Common Name : Java Apple, Samarange Syzygium
Chinese Name : 洋蒲桃
Family : MYRTACEAE
Local distribution status : Exotic species

Anecdotes on plants

Origin Native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Malaysia and India. It is also cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Taiwan.
Meanings of Name The generic name Syzygium is derived from the Greek word syzygos, which refers to its opposite leaf arrangement. The specific epithet samarangense represents this species native to Semarang, a city on the island of Java.
Vitality Java Apple prefers a full-sun environment.
Ecology Usually grows in the wet tropical biome.
Application Fruits of Java Apple are sweet and edible. During the fruiting period, many scarlet fruits grow on the trees and create a magnificent view. Thus, it is also planted for ornamental purposes.
Syzygium In Hong Kong, there are many species similar to Java Apple. Syzygium samarangense, Syzygium cumini, Syzygium hancei, Syzygium jambos and Syzygium levinei are common species of Syzygium in Hong Kong.

To distinguish them easily, the table below shows their identifying features:

Species Characteristic Syzygium samarangense Syzygium cumini Syzygium hancei Syzygium jambos Syzygium levinei
Petiole Length Less than 4 mm or sometimes nearly absent 10-20 mm 3-6 mm 6-8 mm 5-7 mm
Leaf Size 10-22 cm x 5-8 cm 6-12 cm x 3.5-7 cm 3-7 cm x 1.5-4 cm 12-25 cm x 3-4.5 cm 4-8 cm x 1.5-3.5 cm
Inflorescence Length 5-6 cm To 11 cm 1-1.5 cm 1-3.5 cm 3-7 cm
Fruit Appearance Dark red, pyriform to conic Red to purplish black when mature, ellipsoid to urceolate Red to black, globose Pale yellow when mature, globose Black when mature, subglobose
Fruit Length With 4-5 cm diameter With 1-2 cm diameter With 5-8 mm diameter With 3-5 cm diameter With 7-8 mm diameter

Traits for identification

Growing Habit Evergreen tree.
Height To 12 m tall.
Stem Branchlets compressed. Young branch slightly compressed.
Leaves Petiole sometimes nearly absent; leaf opposite, leaf blade elliptic to oblong, thinly leathery, abaxially with numerous small glands, adaxially turning yellowish brown when dry, lateral veins 14-19 pairs, reticule veins conspicuous, with intramarginal veins, base narrow, rounded, or slightly cordate, apex obtuse to slightly acute.
Flower Inflorescences terminal or axillary, cymes, several-flowered. Flowers white. Hypanthium obconic. Calyx lobes 4, semiorbicular. Petals 4, distinct. Stamens numerous.
Fruit Berry dark red, pyriform to conic, fleshy, glossy, apex impressed; persistent sepals fleshy. Seed 1.
Flowering Period March to April in Hong Kong.
Fruiting Period May to June in Hong Kong.
Overview of Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & L. M. Perry.
Branchlets compressed. Young branch slightly compressed.
Petiole sometimes nearly absent; leaf opposite, leaf blade elliptic to oblong, thinly leathery, abaxially with numerous small glands, adaxially turning yellowish brown when dry, lateral veins 14-19 pairs, reticule veins conspicuous, with intramarginal veins, base narrow, rounded, or slightly cordate, apex obtuse to slightly acute.
Inflorescences terminal or axillary, cymes, several-flowered. Flowers white. Hypanthium obconic. Calyx lobes 4, semiorbicular. Petals 4, distinct. Stamens numerous.
Berry dark red, pyriform to conic, fleshy, glossy, apex impressed; persistent sepals fleshy. Seed 1.
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Remarks

Scientific name above is based on Hong Kong Herbarium website:

https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=3078

 

Scientific Names from Other Databases

―Flora of China: Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & Perry

―GBIF: Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & L.M.Perry

Reference
  1. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD). (2018). A Photographic Guide to Common Urban Trees of Hong Kong. 3rd edition. Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Hong Kong. ISBN: 978-988-12021-3-0. pp.180-181
  2. Dave's Garden. (2021). Syzygium. Davesgarden.com.  [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://davesgarden.com/sitewidesearch.php?q=Syzygium
  3. Dave's Garden. (2021). Samarangense. Davesgarden.com.  [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://davesgarden.com/sitewidesearch.php?q=samarangense&Search=Search
  4. eFloras. (2008). Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merrill & L. M. Perry, J. Arnold Arbor. Flora of China [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200014872
  5. Garden Oracle. (2008-2024). Growing Wax Jambu: Syzygium samarangense. Gardenoracle.com. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from:  https://gardenoracle.com/images/syzygium-samarangense.html
  6. Global Biodiversity Information Facility.  (2022). Callistemon rigidus R.Br. US National Plant Germplasm System. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://www.gbif.org/species/3183180
  7. Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels 烏墨 (海南蒲桃). Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=7061
  8. Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Syzygium hancei Merr. & L. M. Perry 韓氏蒲桃(紅鱗蒲桃). Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=7067
  9. Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston 蒲桃. Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=7068
  10. Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Syzygium levinei (Merr.) Merr. & L. M. Perry 山蒲桃. Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=7070
  11. Hong Kong Herbarium, Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and South China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences. (2007-2011). Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & L. M. Perry 洋蒲桃. Flora of Hong Kong. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://herbarium.gov.hk/en/hk-plant-database/plant-detail/index.html?pType=species&oID=3078
  12. National Park. (2022). Syzygium samarangense. Flora and Fauna Web. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/4/1/4150
  13. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. (2017). Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & L.M.Perry. Plant of the World Online. [Online Edition]. Retrieved 18th October 2023, from: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:602209-1
  14. 中國科學院植物誌編輯委員會。（1959-2004）。〈乌墨 Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels〉。《中國植物誌》。[網上版本]。於2023年10月18日擷取自：https://www.iplant.cn/info/Syzygium%20cumini?t=focn
  15. 中國科學院植物誌編輯委員會。（1959-2004）。〈红鳞蒲桃 Syzygium hancei Merr. et Perry〉。《中國植物誌》。[網上版本]。於2023年10月18日擷取自：https://www.iplant.cn/info/Syzygium%20hancei?t=focn
  16. 中國科學院植物誌編輯委員會。（1959-2004）。〈蒲桃 Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston〉。《中國植物誌》。[網上版本]。於2023年10月18日擷取自：https://www.iplant.cn/info/Syzygium%20jambos?t=focn
  17. 中國科學院植物誌編輯委員會。（1959-2004）。〈山蒲桃 Syzygium levinei (Merr.) Merr. et Perry〉。《中國植物誌》。[網上版本]。於2023年10月18日擷取自：https://www.iplant.cn/info/Syzygium%20levinei?t=focn
  18. 中國科學院植物誌編輯委員會。（1959-2004）。〈洋蒲桃 Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. et Perry〉。《中國植物誌》。[網上版本]。於2023年10月18日擷取自： https://www.iplant.cn/info/Syzygium%20samarangense?t=focn
  19. 歐陽卓立。（2018）。《香港觀賞樹木彙編3》。自然探索學會。國際標準書號：978-9-8815-4686-9。pp. 114-115