Rambutan

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

Rambutan fruit in tree

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.

Proverbs

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Recipes

Good to know: A rambutan is sweeter and more delicious when it has many ants on its skin.

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