Origin:

The native range of this tropical species was the Malay Archipelago
and upper Burma but it is now pantropical and also found in many
sub-tropical areas. It was probably cultivated in India as early as 500
BC.

Climate:

Rose apple requires a warm humid habitat, growing more profusely

with rainfall above 1700mm pa. Fairly even distribution of rain is best
but it will survive dry periods if soil remains moist. In tropical regions, it
is found up to 1800m elevation. In cooler areas it may still grow, but
produce little or no fruit. There is light frost tolerance. In several areas
and countries worldwide that have climates more tropical than ours in
the south west of WA, it grows so well that it has been declared a
threat to other species.

Plant Description:

An evergreen tree up to 8m tall and often of greater width, with a

grey-brown trunk and a dense canopy. The leaves are leathery and
dark green when mature, opposite and lanceolate, 8-26cm X 2-4cm.
Plants develop deep taproots, but as they mature, the lateral roots
become more important.

Relatives:

Myrtaceae Family. The genus has about 1000 species, many of which
are grown for their fruit. There are five commercially important species
worldwide including rose apple, and these are: Java plum (Syzygium
cumini), water apple (Syzygium aqueum), mountain apple (Syzygium
malaccense) and wax apple (Syzygium javanicum). The number of
different common names given to individual fruits leads to much
confusion. Also they can be given names such as 'apples', 'plums' and
'cherries' which are at odds with their botanical characteristics.

Soils:

Provided it has sufficient moisture, it is not overly demanding of soil

requirements, but will only grow slowly if infertile, and not produce fruit
in dry sands. Relatively poor drainage is not critical, nor is pH down to
5.

Propagation:
Seeds are the most common means of propagation. They are
recalcitrant and polyembryonic, with 1-4 embryos, giving multiple
seedlings. Germination is best with fresh seeds placed on the surface
of moist, shaded soil. Seedling growth is slow, subject to transplant
shock, and the quality of fruit varies greatly between trees. Cuttings
and air-layering can also be used.

Cultivars:

There are no named cultivars.

Flowering and Pollination:

Inflorescences are usually terminal corymbs, 5-10cm long, with 4-10

flowers. The showy, fragrant, bisexual flowers are white, 4-8cm wide
with an inferior ovary and 2-3.5cm style. Visually, they are dominated
by about 300 stamens 1.5-2.8cm long with creamy-white filaments. A
brief dry period may be necessary to promote flowering. Pollination is
by bees and other insects that are strongly attracted to the plentiful
nectar.

Cultivation:

With appropriate moisture and temperatures they are usually grown

without extensive cultivation effort. Seedlings need shade, but mature
trees fruit best in full sun. Any fertilization should be delayed till after
inflorescences have formed, as new vegetative flushes will compete
with flowering for nutrients.

Wind Tolerance

Good resistance and can be used as windbreaks.

Pruning:

Rose apple grows naturally with a balanced canopy so pruning can be

minimal after ensuring a suitable branching framework has been
established. They can be coppiced quite hard and will quickly recover
with multiple shoots.

The Fruit:

An ovoid drupe with a persistent 4-lobed apical calyx, whitish-yellow

or flushed with pink when ripe, 2-4cm in diameter. The firm dry flesh is
creamy-yellow and rose-scented, containing 1-4 loose brown seeds.
Nutritive value is low, with the main features being low calorie value,
reasonable calcium and iron and about 14% sugars.

Fruit Production and Harvesting:

Vegetatively propagated plants may crop within 4 years. Fruits ripen 4

months after flowering, but yield can be low if moisture and sunlight is
not optimal.

Fruit Uses:

They are eaten fresh or processed as jams and jellies, as they have
high levels of pectin for favourable setting qualities. They can be
brandied.