Links to Related Species: Myrtaceae Acmena smithii Lilly Pilly Calyptropsidium sartorianum Sarte's Guava Campomanesia lineatifolia Perfume Guava Campomanesia obversa Guavira Mi Campomanesia xanthocarpa Gabiroba Eucalyptus deglupta Rainbow Eucalyptus Eugenia aggregata Cherry of the Rio Grande Eugenia axillaris White Stopper Eugenia brasiliensis Grumichama Eugenia calycina Savannah Pitanga Eugenia candolleana Rainforest Plum Eugenia dysenterica Cagaita Eugenia foetida Spanish Stopper Eugenia luschnathiana Pitomba Eugenia lutescens Perinha Eugenia megacarpum Giant Lau Lau Eugenia nitida Eugenia reinwardtiana Cedar Bay Cherry Eugenia stipitata Araca-Boi Eugenia tomentosa Yellow Jaboticaba Eugenia uniflora Surinam Cherry Eugenia victoriana Sundrop Feijoa sellowiana Feijoa Leptospermum laevigatum Coast Tea Tree Marlierea edulis Cambuca Melaleuca incana Gray Honey Myrtle Myrciaria aureana White Jaboticaba Myrciaria cauliflora Jaboticaba Myrciaria dubia Camu Camu Myrciaria floribunda Rumberry Myrciaria oblongata Sour Jaboticaba Myrciaria vexator Blue Grape Myrcianthes pungens Guabiyu Myrtus communis Myrtle Pimenta dioica Allspice Pimenta racemosa Bay Rum Psidium acutangulum Para Guava Psidium cattleianum Strawberry Guava Psidium friedrichsthalianum Cas Guava Psidium guajava Guava Psidium guineense Brazilian Guava Psidium littorale Lemon Guava Syzygium aqueum Water Apple Syzygium aromaticum Clove Syzygium cordatum Water Berry Syzygium cuminii Java Plum Syzygium forte White Apple Syzygium jambos Rose Apple Syzygium malaccense Malay Apple Syzygium oleosum Blue Lilly Pilly Syzygium paniculatum Brush Cherry Syzygium samarangense Wax Jambu Syzygium suborbiculare Lady Apple Syzygium versteegii Ugni molinae Chilean Guava Ugni myricoides Black Chilean Guava

Tropical Fruit Database by scientific name by common name

 

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Trade Winds Fruit

 

Rose Apple
Syzygium jambos

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A crisp, yellow, 1-2" long fruit with the smell and taste of rose water. The rose apple is occasionally cultivated in the tropics but is rarely available in markets.

Description: Shrub to medium-large tree that can reach over 40ft in ideal conditions. The tree will usually not flower or bear fruit in areas of frost. Flowers are very ornate, large, 2-4", with hundreds of beautiful white stamens that attract nectar loving insects. Flowering and fruiting usually follow cycles but these cycles vary throughout the tropics. Often, the rose apple will flower midsummer, with fruits ripening from 3-4 months later.

Hardiness: The rose apple is moderately hardy and will withstand temperatures to 25F if fully grown.

Growing Environment: Grow in full sun. Water moderately.

Propagation: Almost always by seeds, which loose viability quickly. Seeds are polyembryonic and can produce multiple seedlings which can be carefully separated when young.

Uses: Usually eaten fresh or used in preserves. Rose apples spoil very quickly so fruits should be used soon after picking. The large, hollow seed cavity is sometimes utilized to stuff the fruits and bake them. Fruit extract can be used to make a sweet smelling rose water.

Native Range: Native to southeast Asia. Has spread through India and South Pacific islands and is now cultivated in some parts of the tropics. Grows from sea level to 3000ft elevation in its native range.