Malay Apple (Syzygium malaccense): The Mountain Apple of the Tropics

Malay Apple (Syzygium malaccense), also called Mountain Apple, Pomerac, or Ohi'a 'Ai, is a beautiful, fast-growing tropical tree prized for its crisp, rose-flavored fruit and ornamental value. Native to Malesia, it's now pantropical—a staple of home gardens from Hawaii to the Caribbean.

Fruit & Flowers

The fruit is a glossy, pear-shaped drupe, 2–4 inches long, with thin, waxy skin ranging from white to deep red. Flesh is white, crisp, juicy, and mildly sweet with a distinct rose-water flavor. One large seed. Flowers are spectacular: massed, powder-puff clusters of bright pink to crimson stamens, blooming on branches and trunk (cauliflory).

Botanical Profile

• Family: Myrtaceae
• Genus: Syzygium
• Species: malaccense
• Synonym: Eugenia malaccensis

Growth & Uses

A medium evergreen tree to 40–60 feet with a dense, symmetrical crown. Leaves are large, leathery, and glossy. Thrives in hot, humid tropics with abundant rainfall. Fruit eaten fresh, in salads, pickled, or made into drinks. Wood is hard, reddish, used for construction. A dual-purpose beauty for frost-free landscapes.