Naval / Nagapazham Tree / Syzygium cumini (Jambolan/Java plum/Black plum/Jamun)

நாவல் மரம் / Naval Tree is tropical tree widely seen in riverbanks of villages and on the roads. It can be grown in any kind of soil. This Tree can grow to a height of 30 meters. The fruit of this tree is called as Naaval Pazham or Nagapazham, Jamun fruit, Java Plum, Black Plum, Jambul and Indian blackberry. It has some more names in Tamil அருகதம், நவ்வல், நம்பு, சாட்டுவலம், சாம்பல். Some of the varieties in this fruit are: இதில் கருநாவல், கொடி நாவல், சம்பு நாவல் என வகைகள் உள்ளன.

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The Jamun fruit  (Nagapazham) was one of the most favourite and affordable snack of school students in South India during 1990’s.

Benefits of Jamun fruit 

·      Diarrhea can be eliminated

·      Wine is made from this fruit. Jelly and squash can also be made.

·      Vitamin C deficiency can be cured.

                                                                  Naval Tree sapling

Every year during the month of January and February the tree sheds, it leaves before summer begins. Blooms on march and may and then fruits during July, August and September.  After planting the tree it starts to fruit from 8 to 10 years. Each tree should be given 12 meters gap. Trees that are planted with proper gap will yield approximately 50 to 80 kilo gram.

Naval tree is the sthalavriksham of many temples across South India. Sthalavriksha is a sacred tree of a temple. Many of the temple towns in Tamil Nadu have their name from its Sthalavriksha). Example: Sthalavriksham of the Jambukeswarar Temple, Thanjavur is Naval tree. Sri Pakthajaneswarar temple at Thirunavalur, this place got its name from  the “Naval tree”  

Legend speaks of Auvaiyar (also Auvayar), of Sangam period (Tamil literature), and Naval Pazham in Tamil Nadu. Auvaiyar, believing to have achieved everything that is to be achieved, said to have been pondering over her retirement from Tamil literary work while resting under Naval Pazham tree. But she was met with and was wittily jousted by a disguised Murugan (regarded as one of the guardian deities of Tamil language), who later revealed himself and made her realize that there is still a lot more to be done and learnt. Following this awakening, Auvaiyar is believed to have undertaken a fresh set of literary works, targeted at children.(Source: Wikipedia).

Naval tree has always  been a part of Tamil culture. We do not find alot of these trees in cities now. Next time when you come across this fruit please introduce this awesome fruit to your kids also try to grow a Naval tree wherever possible.