Rambutan

Rambutan fruits are easily recognized because of their spines and bright color. This page provide basic information and some photos of Rambutan.

Scientific name:	Nephelium lappaceum L.
Family:	Sapindaceae
Order:	Sapindales
Common names:	Rambutan
Origin:	South-east Asia
Distribution:	South-east Asia, Central America, Africa , Australia, Carribean.
Evergreen or deciduous:	Evergreen
Leaves:	Alternate pinnate leaves with 3-11 leaflets. leaves are 10-30 cm long. Leaflet are 5-15 cm long and 3-10 cm broad.
Fruits:	The fruits are round to oval in shape, 3-6 cm long and 3-4 cm in diameter. The thick leathery skin has a reddish color and has many fleshy soft spines. The firm flesh of the fruit is translucent, whitish or very pale pink. It has a sweet, slightly acidic flavor. The fruit contains one single seed, which is glossy brown and about 2-3 cm long. This seed is poisonous and should not be eaten.
Climate and weather:	Requires a warm tropical climates. Cannot tolerate temperatures below 10 °C.
Pollination:	Pollinated by insects, especially bees.
Height:	10-20 meter
Type of soil:	Deep soils that contain a lot of organic matter.
Spacing (close range)	6 meter
Spacing (wide range)	10 meter
Propagation:	Propagation by grafting, air-layering, or budding.
Insect pests:	Few pests. Some leaf eating insects. Mealybugs.
Diseases:	Few diseases. Powdery mildew. Stem cancer.
Harvesting:	Many trees fruit twice a year. Harvested by hand, cutting the entire fruit cluster from the branch. If individual fruits are picked it is important to cut them off with a piece of stem attached, to avoid damaging the peel. Avoid bruising of the fruits, and store them dry and cool.
Uses:	Fruits are usually eaten fresh.

Photos

 

Proverbs

• Please help me find proverbs about rambutan.

Did you know that?

• A rambutan is sweeter and more delicious when it has many ants on its skin.

Recipes

Please send a message if you know a special recipe containing rambutan fruits.