Syzygium Cumini, Jamun - 0.5 kg Seeds

Jamun or Indian blackberry (Syzygium cumini) is a large evergreen tree beloved across India for its sweet-astringent purple-black fruit, which appears in the monsoon and is eaten fresh, in juices and preserves. It is one of the most familiar shade and avenue trees of the plains, with a dense, spreading crown of glossy leaves.

The tree is medicinally important: the seed powder and bark are traditional remedies for diabetes and digestive disorders. Its hard, water-resistant timber is used for railway sleepers, well-curbs and agricultural implements, and the flowers are a good honey source. Jamun grows throughout India from the plains to the lower hills, tolerating both moist riversides and seasonal drought.

• Family: Myrtaceae
• Native region: the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia
• Mature height: 15–25 m
• Growth rate: moderate to fast

Sowing the seed: jamun seed is recalcitrant and must be sown fresh, as it loses viability quickly on drying, so no soaking or pre-treatment is needed. Sow the cleaned seeds about 2 cm deep in moist nursery bags soon after collection. Germination takes about 14–21 days. Transplant the vigorous seedlings to the field once 30–50 cm tall during the rains.