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Syzygium cumini

(L.) Skeels (1912)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Rosids Order: Myrtales Family: Myrtaceae Genus: Syzygium

jambolan plum, Java plum, palama

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Trees 6–20 m tall, bark pale yellowish brown, flaky, glabrous throughout.

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Opposite. Blades lanceolate to narrowly ovate or elliptic, 7–19 cm long, 2.5–11 cm wide. Apex bluntly acuminate to cuspidate. Base broadly cuneate. Blades thin, coriaceous. Margins entire. Principal lateral veins 25–40 pairs, ca. 2–5 mm apart, submarginal vein slightly irregular. Petioles 0.8–3.5 cm long. Stipules vestigial or absent.

Flowers: Flowers in compound cymes, arising along previous year's branches, but also axillary or terminal. Compound cymes 5–10 cm long, peduncles 1–3 cm long, bracts 1–1.5 mm long. Flowers bisexual (perfect), actinomorphic. Hypanthium campanulate, 3–5 mm long, narrowing into a pseudostipe 1–2 mm long. Calyx of 4 sepals, caducous, ca. 4 mm long. Corolla of 4 petals, white, connate, falling as a calyptra at anthesis, ca. 4 mm long. Stamens ca. 100; filaments pink, 4–6 mm long. Ovary inferior, 2(–4)-celled, placentation axile; ovules numerous, spreading from placenta.

Fruit: Berries dark purple or black; glossy; oblong to oblong–ellipsoid; asymmetrical; 1.2–3 cm long; pericarp pulpy; ca. 1.5–3 mm thick. Seeds usually 1; ellipsoid to oblong–ellipsoid; 1–1.5 cm long; seed coat closely coherent to cotyledons.

Ploidy: 2n = 22; 33; 42–44; 46; 55; 66

Habitat: Mesic valleys to disturbed mesic forest.

Elevation Range: 40–1,230 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Synonyms (47)

Calyptranthes capitellata Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. (1831)
Calyptranthes caryophyllifolia (Lam.) Willd. (1796)
Calyptranthes cumini (L.) Pers. (1806)
Calyptranthes cuminodora Stokes (1812)
Calyptranthes jambolana (Lam.) Willd. (1796)
Calyptranthes jambolifera Stokes (1812)
Calyptranthes oneillii Lundell (1937)
Calyptranthes pedunculata Forsyth f. (1794)
Calyptranthes tenuis Buch.-Ham. ex Wall. (1831)
Caryophyllus corticosus Stokes (1812)
Caryophyllus jambos Stokes (1812)
Eugenia brachiata Roxb. (1832)
Eugenia calyptrata Roxb. ex Wight & Arn. (1834)
Eugenia caryophyllifolia Lam. (1789)
Eugenia cumini (L.) Druce (1914)
Eugenia djouat Perr. (1825)
Eugenia fruticosa (DC.) Roxb. (1832)
Eugenia jambolana Lam. (1789)
Eugenia jambolana var. caryophyllifolia (Lam.) Duthie (1879)
Eugenia jambolana var. obtusifolia Duthie (1879)
Eugenia jambolifera Roxb. ex Wight & Arn. (1834)
Eugenia obovata Poir. (1813)
Eugenia obtusifolia Roxb. (1832)
Eugenia odorata Wight (1841)
Eugenia tenuis Duthie (1879)
Eugenia tsoi Merr. & Chun (1935)
Jambolifera chinensis Spreng. (1825)
Jambolifera coromandelica Houtt. (1774)
Jambolifera pedunculata Houtt. (1774)
Myrtus corticosa Spreng. (1825)
Myrtus cumini L. (1753)
Myrtus obovata (Poir.) Spreng. (1825)
Syzygium brachiatum (Roxb.) Miq. (1855)
Syzygium caryophyllifolium (Lam.) DC. (1828)
Syzygium cumini var. caryophyllifolium (Lam.) K.K.Khanna (2001)
Syzygium cumini var. obtusifolium (Roxb.) K.K.Khanna (2001)
Syzygium cumini var. tsoi (Merr. & Chun) H.T.Chang & R.H.Miao (1982)
Syzygium fruticosum DC. (1828)
Syzygium jambolanum (Lam.) DC. (1828)
Syzygium jambolanum var. acuminata O.Berg (1856)
Syzygium jambolanum var. axillare Gamble (1919)
Syzygium jambolanum var. elliptica O.Berg (1856)
Syzygium jambolanum var. obovata O.Berg (1856)
Syzygium obovatum (Poir.) DC. (1828)
Syzygium obtusifolium (Roxb.) Kostel. (1835)
Syzygium pseudojambolana Miq. (1855)
Syzygium tenue (Duthie) N.P.Balakr. (1982)

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Birds

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Bull. Bur. Pl. Industr. U.S.D.A. 248: 25 (1912)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:975 (K, O, Mo, L, M, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:429 (KEY), 430 (DESCR)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Syzygium cumini Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Brigham, W.T. Oahu BISH 1890-01-01
2 Syzygium cumini Laie forest Preserved_Specimen leaves mostly opposite and entire with oil dots, fragrant when crushed Ernestburg, E. 16 Oahu BISH 1977-05-26
3 Syzygium cumini Nuuanu Ave., end of car line by stone work, right hand side Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. 1 Oahu BISH 1945-05-31
4 Syzygium cumini East Maui, Hana, Kauiki, E side of the bay with Casuarina, Terminalia and Ardisia; summit Preserved_Specimen Tree 25 feet. Flynn, T.W. 2510 Maui BISH 1987-10-21
5 Syzygium cumini Kalaupapa National Historical Park Kauhako crater SW zone D:Ec-St Preserved_Specimen tree Wysong, M.L. 507 Molokai BISH 2004-12-07
6 Syzygium cumini Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Hudson, L.G. Oahu BISH 1944-08-01
7 Syzygium cumini Waimanalo Preserved_Specimen Kerr, M. Oahu BISH 1954-06-04
8 Syzygium cumini Waimea, ridge between Mokihana and Mokuone valleys Preserved_Specimen Chock, A.K. 969 Kauai BISH 1953-08-18
9 Syzygium cumini Na Pohaku O Hauwahine, Kawai Nui Marsh, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii Growing up on steep bank above wetland and down to edge of wetland. Preserved_Specimen Tree, 30-40 ft tall, leaves thin, paper-like, flowers in clusters, many stamens, fruit purple to black. Crago, L.M. 2005173 Oahu BISH 2005-08-06
10 Syzygium cumini Waianae Mts., Kamananui, Dupont Trail, on ridge S. of Pamoa Gulch, by Forest Reserve fence on ridge trail Preserved_Specimen 5 m x 12 cm tree Wilson, K.A. 145 Oahu BISH 1952-09-14
11 Syzygium cumini W Maui, Lahaina District, Ukumehame Gulch along bank of stream Preserved_Specimen Wilson, K.A. 104 Maui BISH 1951-12-29
12 Syzygium cumini Lawai Valley, PTBG along stream Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 2023 Kauai BISH 1971-07-27
13 Syzygium cumini S. of Mokuleia, Dillingham Ranch rocky slope, dry forest Preserved_Specimen 25' x 8 diam. tree Little Jr., E.L. 31025 Oahu BISH 1976-08-10
14 Syzygium cumini Waianae Mts., Puu Manawahua, Honouliuli lower woods Preserved_Specimen tree St.John, H. 9893 Oahu BISH 1929-09-29
15 Syzygium cumini Mt.Kaala, road up N slope, Waianae Mts Acacia koa forest Preserved_Specimen 40' x 6 diam. tree. Bark gray smooth, trunk angled Little Jr., E.L. 31289 Oahu BISH 1978-10-18
16 Syzygium cumini Quarry Road, near Pali Hwy pasture Preserved_Specimen large tree Smith, L.B. 163 Oahu BISH 1976-08-06
17 Syzygium cumini Quarry Road, near Pali Hwy pasture Preserved_Specimen large tree Smith, L.B. 163 Oahu BISH 1976-08-06
18 Syzygium cumini Hauula base of mountain range, off jeep trail, toward river dam Preserved_Specimen tree with small flowers; leaves when crushed have a strong aroma Herat, T. 122 Oahu BISH 1972-08-11
19 Syzygium cumini E Maui, Muolea, 3 miles from Hana roadside, with false kamani and mango Preserved_Specimen 12 m x 37 cm tree; flowers white, fruit purple black Wilson, K.A. 101 Maui BISH 1951-12-27
20 Syzygium cumini Maili Stream , above Hilo homestead Preserved_Specimen MacDaniels, L.H. 249 Hawaii BISH 1926-11-13
21 Syzygium cumini on the bank above Kava Bay freshwater pond with Commelina sp., Hyptis sp. and pasture grasses Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. 104 Hawaii BISH 1990-04-23
22 Syzygium cumini W Maui, Lahaina District, Ukumehame Gulch along bank of stream Preserved_Specimen Wilson, K.A. 104 Maui BISH 1951-12-29
23 Syzygium cumini Waimanu Valley trail Preserved_Specimen Sohmer, S.H. 6101 Oahu BISH 1965-09-13
24 Syzygium cumini within Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District Only a few trees located in the reserve and found on the roadway which bisects the reserve. Preserved_Specimen None were fruiting or flowering. Clarke, G. 79.26 Hawaii BISH 1979-05-05
25 Syzygium cumini Akaka Falls State Park edge of gorge Preserved_Specimen 10 m tree; stamens whitish Fosberg, F.R. 41612 Hawaii BISH 1961-03-20
26 Syzygium cumini Waianae Mts., Kamananui, Dupont Trail, on ridge S. of Pamoa Gulch, by Forest Reserve fence on ridge trail Preserved_Specimen 5 m x 12 cm tree Wilson, K.A. 145 Oahu BISH 1952-09-14
27 Syzygium cumini Niaupala Fishpond, Kaluaaha edge of creek by saltmarsh Preserved_Specimen 5 m tree St.John, H. 19952 Molokai BISH 1939-01-02
28 Syzygium cumini Puna, Panau Nui with guava Preserved_Specimen 20-25' tree Fagerlund, G.O. 1104 Hawaii BISH 1945-08-02
29 Syzygium cumini Kawaihau, Nonu Forest Reserve, crest of Sleeping Giant Mt with guava and Schinus, forestry plantings and rare native remnants Preserved_Specimen 8-10 m tree, smooth bark, pale gray. Flowers white in bud, calyx and petals pink and stamens white at anthesis. Lorence, D.H. 5549 Kauai BISH 1987-09-13
30 Syzygium cumini Halawa Valley along trail, by abandoned, overgrown taro patch Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12676 Molokai BISH 1932-12-27
31 Syzygium cumini Wailua Game Reserve plots stripmined for bauxite ore Preserved_Specimen 7 m tree, bark pale tan; flowers white, aging to pink Howard, R.A. 20170 Kauai BISH 1985-10-20
32 Syzygium cumini Waimea District. Kawaiiki, along upper dividing ridge that separates north and south fork. Metrosideros-Acacia mixed mesic forest, summer dry with Dubautia laevigata, Kadua affinis, Syzygium sandwicensis, Psychotria mariniana, P. greenwelliae, Polyscias waimeae, P. kavaiensis, Diospyros sandwicensis, Santalum pyrularium, Cheirodendron spp, Di Preserved_Specimen Tree, 7 meters tall, trunk gray-tan, single tree observed in flower. Wood, K.R. 16674 Kauai BISH 2015-12-22
33 Syzygium cumini Waianae Mts., Makaleha Valley lowland scrub of guava, koa haole Preserved_Specimen 25' tree Hatheway, W.H. 357 Oahu BISH 1950-09-15
34 Syzygium cumini Waikane Valley clay loam, mountain slopes Preserved_Specimen 15-30' tree; dark green leaves Weber, L. Oahu BISH 1977-03-05
35 Syzygium cumini E Maui, Muolea, 3 miles from Hana roadside, with false kamani and mango Preserved_Specimen 12 m x 37 cm tree; flowers white, fruit purple black Wilson, K.A. 101 Maui BISH 1951-12-27
36 Syzygium cumini Nuuanu Valley, Dowsett Highlands by road Preserved_Specimen Flowers white; fruit black-violet, oval, 1 long Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1943-09-19
37 Syzygium cumini Hanapepe, Koula Valley roadside Preserved_Specimen 4 m x 7 cm tree Wilson, K.A. 210 Kauai BISH 1952-12-27
38 Syzygium cumini E Maui, Muolea, 3 miles from Hana roadside, with false kamani and mango Preserved_Specimen 12 m x 37 cm tree; flowers white, fruit purple black Wilson, K.A. 101 Maui BISH 1951-12-27
39 Syzygium cumini within Halepuaa Forest Reserve in the Puna District Found on the road which bisects the reserve. Preserved_Specimen Clarke, G. 79.257 Hawaii BISH 1979-05-05
40 Syzygium cumini Hanakapiai-Holilu stream Preserved_Specimen tree 25 m x 80 cm Wilson, K.A. 238 Kauai BISH 1952-12-31
41 Syzygium cumini Pupukea with Christmas Berry, guava, grasses Preserved_Specimen tree Beckham, N. 14 Oahu BISH 1967-02-28
42 Syzygium cumini UH Manoa Campus, #101 on map Preserved_Specimen Large tree with smooth, light-colored bark, white flowers and juicy deep purple fruit. Herbst, D.R. 541 Oahu BISH 1967-08-24
43 Syzygium cumini Kohala roadside Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. Hawaii BISH 1926-08-08
44 Syzygium cumini Gulch E of Puu Kaupakuhale, Mokuleia, Kamananui, Puu Kaala, Waianae Mts valley bottom Preserved_Specimen Bryan Jr., E.H. Oahu BISH 1932-10-23
45 Syzygium cumini Hanakapiai, Holilu Stream Preserved_Specimen tree 25 m x 80 cm Wilson, K.A. 238 Kauai BISH 1952-12-31
46 Syzygium cumini Na Pali Kona Coast between Haena Point and Hanakoa Valley Preserved_Specimen Tree, 5-7 diam.; flowers with white stamens Stern, W.L. 1265 Kauai BISH 1961-08-01
47 Syzygium cumini Honolulu, Kalihi St Preserved_Specimen 30 ft. Grant, M.L. 7116 Oahu BISH 1934-07-18
48 Syzygium cumini Nonou Mt., Konohiki Stream Preserved_Specimen large tree, flowers white, fruit reddish, mature ones dark purple, juicy Stone, B.C. 3745 Kauai BISH 1961-08-13
49 Syzygium cumini Quarry Rd. 0.5 mile from Pali Hwy Preserved_Specimen Many trees. Some over 6 m. Fruit red to black Smith, L.B. 54.3 Oahu BISH 1976-01-12
50 Syzygium cumini Wailuku Preserved_Specimen Faurie, A. 55 Maui BISH 1909-08-01
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