The Malay apple, Syzygium malaccensis is a beautiful landscape
tree in addition to producing colorful flowers and fruit. Native to Malaysia,
in Florida it grows to heights of over forty feet with a strict pyramid shape
and large leathery leaves six to ten inches long and two to four inches wide.
The beautiful bright red or purple flowers are produced directly
on the trunk and branches and have long stamens and produce a quite colorful
show. Each individual bloom lasts only a day or two, and during the time
the tree is in flower the ground beneath the tree is carpeted with the fallen
petals and stamens.
Fruits develop quickly and ripen a few weeks after flowering. Usually
the fruits are pear-shaped and may be up to four inches long and two-and-a-half
to three inches wide. Colors range from crimson red to light pink, purple,
and even white. Inside the thin skinned fruit is a thick white flesh somewhat
resembling that of an apple or pear surrounding a single large seed.
Malay apple fruit have a distinctive rose odor and to some people
a somewhat insipid taste, although many I've eaten in the tropics are quite
good. Fruit can be eaten fresh or they can be prepared in other ways, such
as made into jellies, stewed, or otherwise cooked.
The Malay apple can be propagated easily by seed. However, many
people prefer to graft superior varieties on seedling stocks. Trees grow
well over a wide variety of soils, but will develop nutritional deficiencies
on high-pH soils, indicating occasional use of nutritional sprays.
Trees are quite wind resistant, but trees are not highly cold tolerant,
especially when young. They should be protected from frost or freezing temperatures
and planted in sheltered locations in the landscape. Often trees will have
leaf damage at temperatures well above freezing. Trees also do not like poorly
drained soils, so if planted in areas with high water tables should be planted
on slightly raised mounds to give them more room for the roots during periods
of high rainfall.
© 2000 BGCII Page posted March 2004
