BLACK PLUM ( JAMUN) ( NJAVAL)

INTRODUCTION TO LESSER KNOWN

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT SPECIES OF KERALA

VOL. 14

 

                                                    

COMMON NAME:-   BLACK PLUM

OTHER NAMES:     JAMUN,

                               

                                 Java plum, 

                                       jambul,

                                        jaman,                                       

                                         

                                        faux pistachier,

                                        

                                        Indian blackberry,

                                       

                                         doowet,

   jamelong,

                                        jamblang,

                                        jiwat,

                                        salam,

                                   

                                       koriang.

                               

wa,

pésjua extranjera,

                               

koeli,

                               

jambuláo,

                               

jaláol.

 ma-ha,

                                     

pring bai ,

                                     

voi rung,

                               

duhat

                               

lunaboy,

           

BOTANIC NAME: - Syzygium cumini

 

MALAYALAM NAME: - NJAVAL,

                                     NJARA.

Jamun fruits

Jamun plant is native to India and Indonasia. It is an evergreen tropical tree reaching heights up to 20m.

A Jamun trees flowers from March to April. The flowers are fragrant and small, about 5 mm in diameter.

The fruits develop by March to June and are very much like large berries in appearance. The fruit is oblong, ovoid, and green in the initial days, but turns to a crimson black as it matures. The fruit has a sweet, mildly sour and lends a purple tinge to the tongue when eaten.

The wood obtained from the jamun tree is extremely strong and is used in construction works.

JAMUN FRUITS

 NUTRITIVE VALUE:-

The Nutritional composition* per 100g of edible portion of jamun fruits :
Energy    48 Kcal,

Protein     0.7-0.129 g,

Carbohydrate      14.0g,
Vitamin A 80 I.U.,
Vitamin B1    0.008-0.03 mg,
Vitamin B2  0.009-0.01 mg,
Vitamin B3   0.2-0.29 mg,
Vitamin C      5.7-18 mg ,
Magnesium   35g ,
Iron    1.2-1.62 mg,
Copper 0.23mg,
Phosphorous  15-16.2mg,
Sodium 26.2 mg
Potassium  55mg,

Calcium     8.3-15 mg ,

Folic acid  3 mcg                                                               

Fibre          0.3-0.9 g

Fat        0.15-0.3g.

 
^{*Values reported from Asian and tropical American analyses.}

                                          

MEDICINAL VALUE:-     

The parts like fruits and barks are used for various treatments.

Jamun fruits are a good source of iron and are said to be useful in the troubles of heart and liver. 

The seeds and fruits of jamun are an effective medicine against diabetes and it is claimed that alkaloid and a glycoside present in the jamun fruits and seeds helps to reduce blood sugar and also controls blood pressure.

The bark has anti-inflammatory activity and in tribal medicine decoction of the bark is taken internally for dyspepsia, dysentery, and diarrhea and also serves as an enema. 

FOOD VALUE:-

 Jamun Fruits usually turns from green to light-magenta, then dark-purple or nearly black as it ripens. Fully ripen fruits are eaten fresh.

 

METHOD OF CULTIVATION:-

Jamun can  establish by seed but due to recalcitrant nature of the seeds, they have a short viable life, can not be dried well and can not withstand low temperatures. Approximately two weeks will take for germination.

Semi-hardwood cuttings, treated with growth-promoting hormones can also be used for cultivation.

TENDER FRUITS

JAMUN TREE