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.

Photos

Rambutan fruits

Rambutan fruits

Rambutan in market

Rambutan in market together with the king (Durian) and queen (Mangosteen) of fruits

 

Rambutan in Thailand market

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.