Jamun Plant: Botanical Name, Family, and Taxonomy Explained
Also known as Syzygium cumini and commonly popular as Malabar plum, black plum, jambolan or Java plum, Jamun is an evergreen tropical tree. Botanical name of Jamun is Syzygium cumini as mentioned above and it belongs to the family Myrtaceae and has great importance for its fruit, ornamental value and timber. Jamun is native to the Indian Subcontinent and other regions of Southeast Asia that includes Sri Lanka, Myanmar and the Andaman Islands. It is an invasive species in many regions of the world and is a rapidly growing plant. Knowing about its chromosome number, 2n = 40.
Jamun tree is usually grown as avenue tree or as wind break and consists of a straight trunk and is medium or large in size. It looks graceful and is evergreen. It is native to India, Malaysia, Pakistan, SriLanka and Burma. It is highly recognizable by people for its medicinal properties. It is believed in Hindu tradition that Lord Rama subsisted on its fruits in the forest for long 14 years of his exile from Ayodhya. It is the reason that many Hindus regard Jamun as the fruit of the Gods, mostly in Gujarat, India and local Gujaratis call it Jamboon.
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Origin of Jamun and Its Distribution
Being native to India, Ceylon and Burma and also to the Andaman Islands, it is available throughout Indian plains up to 1300 m of height.
It is grown as a wild and semi-wild tree In different states of India including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
In addition to S. cumini other major species of Jamun in India is S.jumbos known as rose apple or safed jamun which is found in South India, Assam and West Bengal.
Other various species of minor importance include S.javanica (water apple), S.fruticosum, S. densiflora and S. Uniflora.
Floral Biology of Jamun
Syzygium cumini (Jamun tree botanical name) is generally seen that inflorescence in Jamun is borne in the axils of its leaves on the branchlet and the flowering starts in the first week of March and can last upto the first week of April. Jamun flowers are light yellow in colour and are hermaphrodite (that have complete or partial reproductive organs and can produce gametes associated with both male and female sexes). According to studies, the maximum anthesis i.e. 18.71 percent to 43.08 percent and dehiscence were seen between 10 am and 12 noon. Also, the maximum receptivity of stigma was observed one day after anthesis.
Flowers are seen regular, bisexual having 5 free sepals and petals with 8 stamens and a simple style. It is known that anthesis starts at about 8 am and takes 10 hours to complete. The maximum numbers of flowers open between 5 pm to 6 pm. In some flowers, anthesis could be seen between 5 am to 6 am in the morning. Jamun is a cross-pollinated crop and the pollination is performed by houseflies, honey bees and wind. It is seen that only 12-15 percent flowers reach the maturity stage and the flower and fruit drop are present in 3 stages.
Propagation of Jamun
Propagation of Jamun can be done through seeds which are highly recalcitrant in nature. The freshly extracted seeds are generally sown for raising seedlings. The seeds germinate within two weeks and these can then be transplanted during monsoon season in the field. Also other methods of propagation such as budding methods are known to be successful and patch budding can be performed in the months of March in semiarid areas. In addition, soft wood grafting is adopted mostly in Karnataka and Gujarat in the months of June and August, respectively.
Using Biotechnology, the nodal segments, epicotyl segments and shoot apices of the plant have been used as the explants for micropropagation. The regenerated plantlets are then acclimatized and transferred to the soil successively.
Breeding Objective of Syzygium Cumini (Jamun Tree Botanical Name)
It is performed to achieve a high yielding variety of the plant.
For attaining early maturing varieties.
It also improves physico-chemical properties such as fruit weight, pulp content, acidity, TSS, etc.
To achieve resistance against flower and fruit drop.
Selection
Today, there are numerous seedling strains of Jamun available in India that provide a great scope for selection of better cultivars.
An important criteria for selection is the oval/oblong fruit shape, deep purple or bluish black colour, more pulp, larger size, small stone, earliness, sweetness and juiciness.
FAQs on Botanical Name of Jamun: Scientific Classification & Origin
1. What is the botanical name of Jamun, and to which family does it belong?
The botanical name for Jamun is Syzygium cumini. It belongs to the Myrtaceae family, which also includes other well-known plants like guava, eucalyptus, and clove. This scientific name is used globally to ensure precise identification and avoid confusion with its various common names.
2. What is the complete scientific classification of the Jamun tree?
The scientific classification of Jamun provides a clear hierarchical placement in the plant kingdom, as follows:
- Kingdom: Plantae (Plants)
- Division: Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
- Class: Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
- Order: Myrtales
- Family: Myrtaceae (Myrtle family)
- Genus: Syzygium
- Species: S. cumini
3. Where did the Jamun plant originate from?
The Jamun tree (Syzygium cumini) is native to the Indian subcontinent and surrounding regions. Its natural habitat includes countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Over time, it has been cultivated and naturalised in many other tropical and subtropical areas across the globe.
4. Why is a botanical name like Syzygium cumini necessary when we have common names like 'Jamun'?
Using a botanical name is crucial for scientific accuracy for several reasons:
- Universal Standard: A scientific name is a universal standard that overcomes regional language barriers. 'Jamun' is also known as 'Java plum', 'black plum', or 'jambolan', which can cause confusion.
- Precise Identification: It points to one specific species, ensuring that scientists, horticulturists, and students are all referring to the same plant.
- Shows Relationships: The genus name, Syzygium, immediately indicates its close biological relationship with other species in the same genus.
5. Are Jamun and Blackberry related, since Jamun is often called 'Indian Blackberry'?
No, they are not botanically related. This is a common misconception based on appearance. Jamun (Syzygium cumini) is in the Myrtaceae family. The common Blackberry (genus Rubus) belongs to the Rosaceae family, which includes roses and apples. The nickname 'Indian Blackberry' is only due to the fruit's dark purple-black colour, not any genetic relationship.
6. What is the significance of the two parts of the name, Syzygium and cumini?
As per the rules of binomial nomenclature, every scientific name has two components:
- Syzygium: This is the genus name. It groups Jamun with other closely related plant species that share a common ancestor and key characteristics.
- cumini: This is the specific epithet. It is the unique identifier for this particular species within the Syzygium genus, distinguishing it from all others.
7. Besides its botanical name, what are the key features of the Jamun tree and its fruit?
The Jamun tree is a large, evergreen tropical tree. Its fruit is a fleshy berry (drupe) that is oval-shaped and turns from green to a shiny, dark purple-black colour upon ripening. The pulp has a distinct flavour profile that is a mix of sweet, mildly sour, and astringent. It contains a single seed and is valued for its nutritional content, including Vitamin C and iron.
