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{{SPlantbox

{{SPlantbox

|familia=Myrtaceae

|familia=Myrtaceae

|genus=Syzygium  

|genus=Syzygium

|species=samarangense  

|species=samarangense

|common_name=Jambosa, Java apple

|common_name=Jambosa, Java apple

|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia

|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia

|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia

|usda_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia

|max_zone=12

|max_zone=12

|image=Upload.png

|image=Wax apple1.jpg

|image_width=240

|image_width=240

}}

}}

'''''Syzygium samarangense''''' ([[synonymy|syn.]] ''Eugenia javanica'') is a species in the [[Myrtaceae]], native to [[Philippines]], [[India]], [[Indonesia]] and [[Malaysia]]. Common names include '''wax apple''', '''love apple''', '''java apple''', '''chomphu''' (in Thai), '''Mận''' (in Vietnam), '''bellfruit''' (In [[Taiwan]]), '''Jamaican Apple''' (in [[Jamaica]]),'''jambu air''' (in [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]), '''water apple''', '''mountain apple''', '''jambu air''' ("water guava" in [[Malay language|Malay]]), '''wax jambu''', '''rose apple''', '''bell fruit''', '''makopa''', '''tambis''' ([[Philippine languages|Philippines]]), and '''chambekka''' in [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], '''jamrul''' (in Bengali), and '''jumbu''' (Sri Lanka). It is known as '''jamalac''' in [[French language|French]], and '''zamalac''' in the French-based [[creole languages]] of [[Mauritius]], [[Réunion]], [[Seychelles]] and other [[Indian ocean]] islands.The wax apple tree also grows in the Caribbean. On Curaçao, Netherlands Antilles, the fruit is called '''kashu Sürnam''' in [[Papiamentu]], which means ‘cashew from Surinam’, while in Surinam the fruit is called '''curaçaose appel''' (‘apple from Curaçao’ in Dutch), in Trinidad and Tobago it is known as '''pommerac''', while in the Dominican Republic a small sub-species of the wax apple is known as cajuilito, or small cashew.

'''''Syzygium samarangense''''' ([[synonymy|syn.]] ''Eugenia javanica'') is a species in the [[Myrtaceae]], native to [[Malaysia]] and [[Indonesia]]. Common names include '''wax apple''', '''love apple''', '''java apple''', '''Bellfruit''' (In Taiwan), '''water apple''', '''mountain apple''', '''jambu air''' ("water guava" in [[Malay language|Malay]]), '''wax jambu''', '''Rose apple''', '''bell fruit''', '''macopa''' and '''tambis''' ([[Philippine languages|Philippines]]).

It is a tropical [[tree]] growing to 12 m tall, with [[evergreen]] [[leaf|leaves]] 10-25 cm long and 5-10 cm broad. The [[flower]]s are white, 2.5 cm diameter, with four petals and numerous stamens. The [[fruit]] is a bell-shaped edible [[berry]], with colors ranging from white, pale green, green, red, purple, crimson, to deep purple or even black, 4-6 cm long in wild plants. The flowers and resulting fruit are not limited to the axils of the leaves and can appear on nearly any point on the surface of the trunk and branches. When mature, the tree is considered a heavy bearer and can yield a crop of up to 700 fruits. {{cite journal

It is a tropical tree growing to 12 m tall, with evergreen leaves 10-25 cm long and 5-10 cm broad. The flowers are white, 2.5 cm diameter, with four petals and numerous stamens. The fruit is a bell-shaped edible berry, with colors ranging from white, pale green, green, red, purple, crimson, to deep purple or even black, 4-6 cm long in wild plants. The flowers and resulting fruit are not limited to the axils of the leaves and can appear on nearly any point on the surface of the trunk and branches. When mature, the tree is considered a heavy bearer and can yield a crop of up to 700 fruits.<ref name="morton"/>

  | authorlink = Julia F. Morton

The ripened fruit varies in hue and can be light pink to a dark, almost purple, red.  One of the most highly prized and sought after wax apples in Taiwan are "black pearls," which are purplish-red.  If it is ripe enough, the fruit will puff outwards, with the middle of the underside of the "bell shape" dented in a touch.  Healthy wax apples have a light sheen to them.  Despite its name, a ripe wax apple only resembles an apple on the outside in color. It doesn't taste like an apple, and it has neither the fragrance nor the density of an apple. Its flavor is similar to a snow pear, and the liquid to flesh ratio of the wax apple is comparable to a watermelon. Unlike either apple or watermelon, the wax apple's flesh has a very loose weave. The very middle holds a seed that's situated in a sort of cotton-candy-like mesh.  This mesh is edible but flavorless. The color of its juice depends on the cultivar of the fruit; it may be purple to entirely colorless. A number of [[cultivar]]s with larger fruit have been selected. In general, the paler or darker the color is, the sweeter it is.  In South East Asia, the black ones are nicknamed "Black Pearl" or "Black Diamond," while the very pale greenish white ones are called "Pearl." They are among the highest priced ones in fruit markets.  

The fruit has a crunchy texture, which is sweet and very juicy, and it has nothing similar to an [[apple]] except for its color. The color of its juice is purple. The fruit's pith is like cotton. As well as in its native range, it is also cultivated in tropical regions such as [[Vietnam]], [[Taiwan]], [[Thailand]], [[Philippines]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Pakistan]] and [[India]]. A number of [[cultivar]]s with larger fruit have been selected. In general, the paler or darker the color is, the sweeter it is.  In South East Asia, the black ones are nicknamed "Black Pearl" or "Black Diamond," while the very pale greenish white ones are called "Pearl." They are among the highest priced ones in fruit markets.  

When choosing a good wax apple, look for ones with the bottom segments closed up because open holes signify worm eggs inside the fruit.  Also, usually the reddest fruits are the sweetest.  To eat, the core is removed and the fruit is served uncut, in order to preserve the unique bell shape presentation.

When choosing a good wax apple, look for ones with the bottom segments closed up because open holes signify worm eggs inside the fruit.  Also, usually the reddest fruits are the sweetest.  To eat, the core is removed and the fruit is served uncut, in order to preserve the unique bell shape presentation.

 

 

 

 

<gallery>

Image:Jambu.jpg| "Jambu"

<gallery perrow=5>

Image:Jambu.jpg| "Chomphu"

Image:Wax apple2.jpg|Clusters of wax apples

Image:Wax apple2.jpg|Clusters of wax apples

Image:Wax apple close up.jpg|Wax apples

Image:Wax apple close up.jpg|Wax apples

Image:Lian wu.JPG|Even more wax apples

Image:Lian wu.JPG|Wax apples

</gallery>

</gallery>

<br clear="all">

<!--- xxxxx  *American Horticultural Society: A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, by Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk. 1996. ISBN 0789419432  -->

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