MARUNGI
(Syzigium zeylanicum)

A tree of marungi

Family:  Myrtaceae

Synonyms: Eugenia zeylanica

Other names: Spicate Eugenia, Kelat Nenasi, bhedas, sagarabatua.

Marungi is a native of the Indian sub-continent.  It is found growing wild in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa and the Andaman Islands.  It bears sweet aromatic edible fruits.

            It also grows in South East Asia.

Description:

A large shrub or small tree, very handsome when in full bloom;

            Leaves aromatically fragrant when bruised, coriaceous, variable, 4-10 cm by 2-4 cm, ovate elliptic to linear-lanceolate, usually cadate acuminate, smooth and shining on both surfaces, paler and minutely glandular beneath, the margins slightly recurved, base acute; petiole2-6 mm long.

Foliage of marrungi

            Flowers  white, conspicuous, in axillary and in axillary and many flowered terminal many-flowered paniculate cymes, in clusters of 3-5 at the end of the ultimate cyme branches; calyx funnel shaped, 5 mm long, tubercled with glands on the outside,  sessile or nearly so; lobes, 4-5, broadly ovate or rotundate, concave, erect; petals, 4-5, orbicular, usually calyptrate but sometimes imperfectly so.

            Fruit pisiform, 5 mm wide, white, 1 seeded.

Utilization:

The fruit is sweet, aromatic and edible.

            The plant is reported to be stimulant and antirheumatic.  A decoction of the leaves and roots is used as a vermifuge.

            The bark is a source of black dye.

  The wood is reddish or brown.  It is used for rafts, farm implements and construction.

Cultivation

Marungi is suitable for planting in gardens as it is a handsome tree and looks exceptionally showy at the time of lowering.  It is a multipurpose tree species can also be planted under other tree planting projects.

            New plants of marungi can be raised from seed.