Syzygium cumini - Florida Natural Areas Inventory

Common Name: Java plum

Family: Myrtaceae

Common Synonyms: Syzygium jambolana

USDA Hardiness Zone: 10b-11

Growth Habit: Tree

Origin: Southeast Asia, India

FISC Category: 2

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: No

Introduction Date: 1911

IFAS Assessment:

North: OK
Central: OK
South: INVASIVE

Description

Evergreen tree to 25 m tall, young stems grayish white, lower bark coarse and discolored. Leaves opposite, simple, entire, elliptic to broadly oblong, smooth, glossy, somewhat leathery, 5-10 cm long, short pointed at tips, leaf midrib prominent, yellowish, lateral veins many, closely parallel, petioles to 3 cm long. Inflorescences in branched clusters at stem tips. Flowers white to pinkish, about 1 cm across, calyx cuplike, 4 petals fused into a cap, stamens many. Fruit an ovoid, 1-seeded berry to 2 cm long, dark purplish red, shiny, flesh white to lavender.

Habitat

Wet pinelands and higher areas in swamps and marshes

Comments

Seeds dispersed by birds and mammals, including racoons and wild hogs. Found only where minimum temperatures are above 35F.

Control Methods

Manual: NA
Chemical: Cut stump: 50% Triclopyr ester 61.6% L 3A or 10% Triclopyr ester 61.6% L. Basal bark: 10%-20% Triclopyr ester 61.6% L or Triclopyr ester 13.6% L.
Biological: NA

Control Notes

References

Langeland, K.A., H.M. Cherry, C.M. McCormick, K.C. Burks. 2008. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas-Second Edition. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.

Langeland, K.A., J.A. Ferrell, B. Sellers, G.E. MacDonald, and R.K. Stocker. 2011. Integrated management of non-native plants in natural areas of Florida. EDIS publication SP 242. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.