Syzygium jambos
|
Taxon |
Family |
|
Syzygium jambos (L.) Alston |
Myrtaceae |
 |
 |
| The plant in its native habitat Credit: http://biotech.tipo.gov.tw/ |
The plant as an ornamental tree in the USA |
Common names: Malabar plum, rose apple, jambos
Synonyms: Eugenia jambos L., Jambosa jambos (L.) Millsp.
Life form: Tree
Biology/Ecology:
Dispersal: The fruit is dispersed by humans and sometimes pigs. Seeds and root fragments may be dispersed by flowing water. Introduced by humans for use as an ornamental tree, fruit tree or for fuel wood.
Reproduction: Terminal cymes bear white/green flowers which have a diameter of up to 8 cm. Each petal has four petals and 5cm long stamen. Plants flower two or three times per year, and can produce fruit after about five years. Fruits can be produced following self-pollination. Fruits have a diameter of between 2.5 and 4 cm, and contain one or two seeds with a diameter of 2-2.5 cm.
Herbivores: Few, although fruits are sometimes attacked by fruit flies.
Resistant stages: Develops large tubers, making the plant hard to kill
Habitat:
Native habitat: Mountain slopes and riparian forests.
Habitat occupied in invaded range: Tropical and sub-tropical forests, riparian zones.
Habitat requirements:
| Altitude | Below 2300 metres above sea level, but does not bear fruit at high altitudes. |
| Light | Prefers full sun, although is shade tolerant. |
| Temperature | Wide range. |
| Annual rainfall | Wide range. |
| Soil | Tolerates wide range of soil types, tolerant of saline soils. |
Distribution:
Native to Southeast Asia, probably originating from Malesia.
Introduced range: Invasive in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Galapagos, Seychelles, Fiji, Cook Islands, Mauritius and a small part of Australia. Introduced but not considered invasive in southern Africa and Tanzania, southeastern USA, Mexico and tropical South America.
Impacts:
Ecosystem: Forms dense, fast growing canopies that block out light for lower vegetation, leading to monospecific stands. Trees are able to resprout quickly if damaged. Has the ability to invade undisturbed forest due to shade tolerance. Rapidly invades disturbed areas.
Health, social and economic: The dense and extensive root mat can be a problem for shifting agriculture and agroforestry.
Management:
Mechanical: Seedlings and saplings can be dug out. Larger trees can be cut and the stumps treated with herbicide.
Chemical: Herbicides applied to stump. Effective foliar herbicides are also available.
Biological: No information available.
References:
Weber, E., 2003. Invasive Plant Species of the World: A Reference Guide to Environmental Weeds. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK.
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER), 2005. Available from http://www.hear.org/Pier/species/syzygium_jambos.htm (Accessed August 2006).
Csurhes, C. and Edwards, R., 1998. Potential Environmental Weeds in Australia. Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia. Available from http://www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive/publications/weeds-potential/pubs/potential-weeds.pdf (Accessed August 2006).
Binggeli, P., 1999. Syzygium jambos. Available from http://members.lycos.co.uk/WoodyPlantEcology/docs/web-sp19.htm (Accessed August 2006).
Last updated October 2006
