The Polynesian-introduced mountain apple is a lovely fruit tree you might consider growing if you have space in a corner of your garden, or you can let it grow to full size as a landscape tree. It provides a beautiful array of pink flowers in spring followed by lots of tasty fruit.
Known as ohi‘a ‘ai in Hawaiian, the mountain apple was one of the few fruit trees growing here when Captain Cook arrived. Early Polynesian settlers brought this tree as well as coconut, banana and breadfruit to add some sweet fruit to their diet. The ripening of the apples was much anticipated among the native population for they offered a plentiful supply of refreshing snacks. The taste of the pear-shaped fruit differs slightly depending on variety. The deep red fruit is usually sweeter but even the white variety is quite juicy with a fresh taste.
Mountain apple is in the Myrtaceae or Myrtle family with many relatives including eucalyptus and melaleuca varieties. One of its closest relatives is the endemic Ohi‘a lehua, a variety of metrosideros. Another very close relative is the endemic ohi‘a ha or Syzygium sandwicensis. In fact, the Hawaiian name ohi‘a ‘ai distinguishes this plant as an ohi‘a tree that produces food (‘ai).
Known botanically as Syzygium malaccense, the name is derived from the Greek words sys meaning together and zygon meaning yoke. This is probably a reference to the closely placed petals of the flower.
Mountain apples are presumed as native to India and Malaysia, though they now grow throughout the tropics in East Africa, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America as well as Polynesia. Known by names like Malay apple and water apple, mountain apple is the most commonly used English name here in Hawaii.
For me, the outstanding feature of the mountain apple is the blossoms. The spiky, bright magenta flowers cling to the branches and trunk in a riot of color and mild fragrance. Blooming is seasonal, though some trees will flower twice or even three times a year. In Hawaii, the trees usually begin blooming in early spring at lower elevations, appearing in mid-summer at higher locales. As the flowers mature, they drop their pink stamens to the ground creating an arrestingly beautiful blanket of color.
When the colorful blossoms appear, the flower-laden branches can be removed to make wonderful, though short-lived, arrangements. Add the tree’s smooth, spotted gray bark and its leathery, dark green leaves to its attractive features and this plant makes a wonderful addition to any garden or landscape.
Not to mention the fruit. Within about 3 months of flowering, the fruit will mature and be ready to eat. Though some varieties produce bright red fruit, mature fruit in white or light green with red stripes is common. Today, you can occasionally find them in farmer’s markets to be eaten fresh. They also are tasty when dried and make a good substitute for mainland apples in pies and preserves.
A mountain apple tree can grow to 60 feet tall over time. Its growth is mostly upward which makes it a good choice for the corner of a lot or as a featured specimen in a moist or shady dip in an expanse of lawn. The tree is easy to prune so its size can be controlled with regular maintenance.
The fruit that appears following flowering is arranged in clusters along the branches. Starting small and white they develop into a pear shape in colors ranging from white to dark red. All of the varieties are crisp and delicately sweet making them a welcome treat on a hot summer day. Their thin skin makes the apples difficult to ship, so the best way to enjoy them is to grow your own.
A wide variety of cultivars exist with flower and fruit variations. Though the magenta flowered variety is widespread locally, a variety with white flowers and lighter skinned fruit can be found. If you want large, sweet fruit look for the “Kingston” cultivar or find a “Rookman” whose fruit is known for its sweetness.
The mountain apple was also known to early Hawaiians for its medicinal properties. David Bruce Leonard in his book, ‘Medicine at Your Feet,’ notes that scrapings of the inner bark or crushed young leaves of the tree were valued as a sore throat cure. He also notes that some people find the taste of the resulting medicine worse than the pain of a sore throat.
Despite its name, mountain apple’s habitat is not limited to mountainous areas. Wild trees grow naturally in shady forest groves, often in valleys or along streambeds where the soil is moist. They adapt well to lower elevations and grow best at locations under 1,800 feet in elevation. The major growth requirements include planting them in shelter from a full day of hot sun and in soil that stays a bit moist most of the year.
A great way to get your own mountain apple tree started is to find a fruiting tree and remove the seed from the ripe fruit to plant. Most fruit have a single, large, fleshy seed that only remains viable for a short time. If you know someone who has a tree, they will often have young seedlings available that sprouted under their tree from dropped fruit. Seeds should sprout within a month and can be planted out in 6 to 8 months or once they are about 2 feet tall. When young, the trees may grow as much as 3 feet in a year. Grown from seed, mountain apples begin to flower and fruit after about five years.
Because of the many variations in the species, vegetative propagation by taking cuttings from a tree with tasty fruit is a good option. Propagating asexually can also reduce the waiting period for flowering and fruiting. Using cuttings, air layering or grafting you can propagate mountain apples successfully.
Gardeners will be delighted with the lack of maintenance needed for a mountain apple tree. If you select the right spot to plant this tree, it will probably have very few pest problems. Also, the low branches and shade they provide can discourage weeds. Unless you want to keep your tree small, pruning is not necessary. Flowering and fruiting are improved by fertilizing, composting and mulching as well as a constant water supply.
Today with many tropical fruits available to us, we might overlook the beauty of this Polynesian introduction, its stately growth habit, beautiful flowers and tasty fruit. Do consider growing your own. You won’t regret it.
You can usually find mountain apple seedlings at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook. Other nurseries including Tropical Edibles may carry them seasonally. It’s best to call first and check on availability.
Information for this column was gathered from Traditional Trees of Pacific Islands edited by Craig Elevitch
Gardening events
Saturdays: “Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden,” from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Come with a mask and prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Visit the website www.amygreenwell.garden/get-involved/volunteer-1/ and sign up for the weekly email for more information on work days.
Tuesdays: “Coffee related webinars with live Q&A with the presenters” (now through April 30) starting at noon. Hosted at the Kona Extension YouTube account. Register at https://www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/coffeewebinars.html.
The next one is March 12 – Coffee Leaf Rust in Puerto Rico: Patterns and Pathogens w/ Paul Bayman of Univ. of Puerto Rico.
Farmer direct markets
(Check websites for the latest hours and online markets)
Wednesday and Friday: “Ho‘oulu Farmers Market” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay
Saturday: “Keauhou Farmers Market” 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
“Kamuela Farmer’s Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
“Waimea Town Market” 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea
“Waimea Homestead Farmers Market” from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea middle and elementary school playground
Sunday: “Pure Kona Green Market” 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
“Hamakua Harvest” 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honoka‘a
Plant advice lines
Anytime: konamg@hawaii.edu. Tuesdays and Thursdays: 9 a.m. to noon at UH-CES in Kainaliu, call 322-4893, or walk in Mon., Tues. and Fri: 9 a.m. to noon at UH CES at Komohana in Hilo. Call 981-5199 or email himga@hawaii.edu.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living part time in Kailua-Kona.