Description of Eugenia Jambolana

Overall Appearance

• An evergreen, Eugenia jambolana grows 40 to 50 feet tall with a spread of about 36 feet. The tree is considered fast-growing, reaching its full height in 40 years. The Eugenia jambolana's trunk may reach a diameter of 2 to 3 feet, and the tree may have multiple trunks. Trunks are discolored and rough at the base but become smooth higher up, with a more uniform, light gray color. The tree thrives in well-drained soils in moist to moderately wet areas, but tolerates short droughts once it matures, which aids in flowering and fruiting.

Foliage

• Eugenia jambolana's leaves are glossy, smooth and arranged opposite one another on the stems. The leaves are 2 to 5 inches long and may be elliptical or oblong and up to 4 inches wide. When crushed, the leaves may smell like cumin spice or like turpentine.

Flowers and Fruit

• Eugenia jambolana flowers in early spring, producing feathery white blooms that are followed by fruit in late spring to summer. The flowers are small and appear in clusters. The plums are dark purple to black with shiny skins. Plums are about an inch long, with white to lavender flesh and a single seed. Birds and other wildlife that feed on the fruit help distribute the seeds to uncultivated areas. The tree sometimes produces a second crop of fruit in late fall.

Uses

• Almost every part of the Eugenia jambolana tree is used for medicinal purposes in different parts of the world. The fruit may be eaten raw, processed for juice, or cooked into jams, jellies and sauces. In the landscape, Eugenia jambolana provides dense shade and may be used in areas where other vegetation is not wanted. The trees withstand high winds and can be planted close together as a windbreak, or pruned severely to form a dense hedge.