water cherry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Bell Fruit
• Java Apple
• Water Apple
• Water Cherry
• Water Rose Apple
• Watery Rose Apple
• water-apple
• watery rose-apple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eugenia callophylla
• Jambosa javanica
• Myrtus javanica
• Cerocarpus aqueus
• Jambosa aquea
• Jambosa subsessilis
• Jambosa calophylla
• Eugenia nodiflora
• Eugenia obversa
• Eugenia javanica
• Eugenia aquea
• Malidra aquea
• Jambosa madagascariensis
• Syzygium obversum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized into the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Myrtales, and the family Myrtaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Syzygium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various regions of the Indian Subcontinent, including Assam, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Its presence extends into the Indo-China region, where it can be found in Cambodia. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the Andaman Islands. These diverse locations highlight its significant geographical spread throughout South and Southeast Asia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Syzygium aqueum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem over many growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated woody stems, a growth habit that allows it to occupy significant vertical space within its habitat. This phanerophyte life form is further supported by its evergreen nature, meaning the plant retains its foliage throughout the year rather than undergoing a seasonal shedding process.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Syzygium aqueum is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, typically reaching an average height of 15 m. As a self-supporting plant, it does not function as a climber (neither liana nor vine) and maintains an independent existence, meaning it is not a parasite. It is strictly a terrestrial species, lacking any epiphytic habits such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. The plant's structural integrity is defined by its robust, woody nature, allowing it to stand as a stable, self-supporting organism within its ecosystem.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Syzygium aqueum is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, which facilitates carbon fixation through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, making it typical of most woody tropical angiosperms. Regarding its nutrient acquisition processes, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms and instead relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Syzygium aqueum is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, relying heavily on living organisms to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Within this complex ecological interaction, the plant utilizes various vectors, specifically identifying insects and bees as primary pollinators to ensure successful fertilization. While the species is capable of self-fertilization, which allows for reproductive assurance, its reliance on these biotic agents enhances genetic diversity through cross-pollination.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Syzygium aqueum has 3 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit, stem.

Leaf

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
2. Pharmacognosy magazine
3. International journal of cosmetic science
4. Pharmacognosy research

Fruit

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Stem

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Chemicals

Syzygium aqueum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Demethoxymatteucinol, Flavonoids, Tannins, Terpenoids.

Demethoxymatteucinol

1. Pharmacognosy research

Flavonoids

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Tannins

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Terpenoids

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Activities

Syzygium aqueum has 9 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Analgesic, Antibacterial, Antibiotic.

Antioxidant

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM
3. Pharmacognosy research

Antidiabetic

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity
2. African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM

Analgesic

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Antibacterial

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Antibiotic

1. International journal of cosmetic science

Anticancer

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Antifungal

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Antimalarial

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Xanthine-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Pharmacognosy research

Medicinal Uses

Syzygium aqueum has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, free radicals.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations