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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Jamun
| image = Syzygium cumini Bra30.png
| image_size = 280px
| image_caption = Jambul (''Syzygium cumini'')
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Myrtales]]
| familia = [[Myrtaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Syzygium]]''
| species = '''''S. cumini'''''
| binomial = ''Syzygium cumini''
| binomial_authority = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) Skeels.
}}
'''Jambul''' or '''Jamun''' or '''Jamblang''' (''Syzgium cumini'') is an evergreen tropical [[tree]] in the [[flowering plant]] family [[Myrtaceae]], native to [[India]], [[Pakistan]] and [[Indonesia]]. It is also grown in other areas of southern and southeastern [[Asia]] including the [[Philippines]], [[Myanmar]], and [[Afghanistan]]. The tree was also introduced to [[Florida]], [[USA]] in [[1911]] by the [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]], and is also now commonly planted in [[Suriname]]. 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]], [[tanager| tanagers]] and the [[Great Kiskadee]]. The various names for this fruit are (in [[Java (island)|Java]]) plum, jambul, jamun, jaman, black plum, faux pistachier, Indian blackberry, jambol, doowet, jambolan, jambolão, naval pazham([[Tamil]]), njaval pazham([[Malayalam]]), duhat ([[Tagalog language|Tagalog]]), and pring ([[Khmer language|Khmer]]). Scientific [[synonymy|synonyms]] include ''Syzygium jambolanum, Eugenia cumini'' and ''Eugenia jambolana''.
[[image:Ripe_jamun_fruits.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Ripe Jamun fruits for Sale in a HAL market in [[Bangalore]]]]
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 and to install motors in [[Water well|well]]s. 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 [[flower]]s of Jamun are fragrant and small, about 5 mm in diameter. The [[fruit]]s develop by May or June and resemble large [[berry|berries]]. The fruit is [[oblong]], [[ovoid]], starts green and turns pink to shining [[crimson]] black as it matures. A variant of the tree produces white coloured fruit. The fruit has a combination of sweet, mildly sour and [[astringent]] flavour and tends to colour the tongue purple. The seed is also used in various alternative healing systems like [[Ayurveda]] (to control [[diabetes]], for example<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/2006/07/21/stories/2006072104720200.htm] Article in The Hindu, retrieved June 23 2007</ref>.), [[Unani]] and [[Chinese medicine]] for digestive ailments. The leaves and bark are used for controlling blood pressure and [[gingivitis]]. [[Wine]] and [[vinegar]] are also made from the fruit. It has a high source in vitamin A and vitamin C.
==References==
{{reflist}}
==See also==
*[[List of fruits]]
{{Myrtaceae-stub}}
[[Category:Myrtaceae]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Flora of India]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]