Syzygium grande

Syzygium grande or sea apple is a tall tree that can reach 30 m. The trees can be found along the coastal line of Southeast Asia. Its leaves are large with dark green color. It is a tree and grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. It is usually grown in elevation range between 770- 2000 m.

Description

An evergreen tree. It grows up to 30 m tall with a spread of 5 m. The stem is erect and sturdy. The leaves are shiny green. They are long and taper towards the ends. The flowers are white. They form a fluffy head due to the long stamens. They occur in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit are green and pear shaped.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. It is native from Burma to Malaysia. It prefers rich moist soil. It needs to be well drained. Plants do best in a sunny position. It is drought and frost tender. It often grows on sea-shores.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Cuba, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, North America, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, USA, West Indies,

Cultivation

The plant is grown from fresh seed. It can be grown from tip cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe.

Other Uses

The wood is greyish-brown, sometimes with a yellowish tinge. It is relatively heavy, durable, moderately hard. A good structural timber, it is used for building purposes, boat and house construction. We do not have any more specific information for the wood of this species, but the various species of Syzygium tend to have somewhat similar timber. The general description of syzygium timber is as follows:- The heartwood is a golden brown, greyish brown or brown, with pink or purplish glints; it is not clearly demarcated from the 1 - 4cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is fine; the grain slightly interlocked, sometimes wavy or irregular; there are resin deposits. The wood is heavy; moderately hard; somewhat durable, being moderately resistant to fungi and termites, but susceptible to dry wood borers. It seasons slowly, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It works well with ordinary tools, nailing and screwing are good so long as the wood is pre-bored; gluing is correct. The wood is used for musical instruments, tool handles, furniture components, ship building, heavy carpentry, flooring, joinery etc.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Cherry, Jambu ayer laut, Jambu laut, Kamao, Keriang batu, Mannam hui, Mao, Ngara ngudu gal, Pring som bork krars, Thabye-gyi, Thabye-pinbwa, Thabye-ywet-gyi, Thei-chhawl, Wa dong

References (10)

• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 614
• Barwick, M., 2004, Tropical and Subtropical Trees. A Worldwide Encyclopedic Guide. Thames and Hudson p 392
• Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 963
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 983 (As Eugenia grandis)
• Crawford, I. M., 1982, Traditional Aboriginal Plant Resources in the Kalumburu Area: Aspects in Ethno-economics. Records of the Western Australian Museum Supplement No. 15 (As Eugenia grandis)

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