The wax jambu, Syzygium samarangense (syn. javanicum) is quite popular in many area of south Florida. Native to the Malay and Southeast Asian area of the world, it does quite well in our subtropical climate. Trees are fast-growing and may reach 35 to 45 feet at maturity.

Fruit are pear-shaped and have a thin pink skin, with crisp white flesh, which is slightly aromatic. Comes from the Andaman Islands. The tree, 16 to 50 ft (5-15 m) tall, has a short trunk 10 to 12 in (25-30 cm) thick, and open, widespreading crown, and pinkish-gray, flaking bark. The opposite leaves are nearly sessile, elliptic-oblong, rounded or slightly cordate at the base; yellowish to dark bluish-green; 4 to 10 in (10-25 cm) long and 2 to 4 3/4 in (5-12 cm) wide; very aromatic when crushed. Flowers, borne in drooping panicles of 3 to 30 at the branch tips or in smaller clusters in the axils of fallen leaves, are fragrant, yellowish-white, 3/4 to 1 1/2 in (2-4 cm) broad, 4-petalled, with numerous stamens 3/5 to 1 in (1.5-2.5 cm) long. The waxy fruit, usually light-red, sometimes greenish-white or cream-colored, is pear-shaped, narrow at the base, very broad, flattened, indented and adorned with the 4 fleshy calyx lobes at the apex; 1 1/3 to 2 in (3.4-5 cm) long, 1 3/4 to 2 1/8 in (4.5-5.4 cm) wide. The skin is very thin, the flesh white, spongy, dry to juicy, subacid and very bland in flavor. There may be 1 or 2 somewhat rounded seeds 3/16 to 5/16 in (0.5-0.8 cm) wide, or none.

There are some local sales for fruit, particularly in extreme southern Florida, and homeowners that have extra fruits can find ready markets at produce stands and local flea markets.

Usually eaten fresh but the fruit also make good table decoration! Crisp texture but watery, slightly acid flavour can be enhanced by the addition of a little salt.

Origin
Native to Malaysia and some islands of Indonesia. Often cultivated in southeast Asia, but rarely grown elsewhere. Fruits are occasionally imported to Canada and Europe.

Foliage
The attractive dark green waxy leaves are up to six inches long and are evergreen.

Flowers
One-and-a-half-inch white showy flowers somewhat resembling a powder puff are produced in the early spring or sometimes late winter if it is very mild.

Fruits
Fruits mature during the late spring and early summer and can be red or white skinned, and are generally pear-shaped, up to about two to two-and-a-half inches in length.

The flesh inside the fruit is white, very crisp, but insipid in many varieties. Fruits often are stewed or cooked rather than eaten fresh, especially in their native areas, but there are varieties available that have good quality fruit for fresh consumption.

Info Source : International Tropical Fruits Network