Durian
Durio zibethinus

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A large evergreen tree up to 30-50 m high and with buttresses. The bark is dark red-brown and rough and peels off irregularly. The leaves are alternate and oval. They are about 10 to 15 cm long and 3 to 5 cm wide. The upper surface is smooth and shiny and the midrib is sunken. The lower surface is covered with silver scales. The flowers are on the older branches and form bunches of flowers where the lower flower stalks are longer. They have 3 to 30 flowers on a main stalk up to 5 cm long. The fruit are green to yellow, fat and up to 25 cm long by 20 cm wide. They have sharp spines over the surface. The seeds are completely covered with a yellowish soft very sweet seed covering. The fruit drop unopened. As the fruit ripens it splits open naturally into 3-5 sections which have large seeds embedded in a yellow coloured pulp. The seeds are oval and 4-5 cm long by 2.5-3.5 cm wide.

There are about 20 Durio species. The family has been Bombacaceae. Also put in the family Durionaceae. Fruit are high in folates 400μg/100. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. A tree of the humid tropics preferably below 300 m altitude but they may grow up to about 800 m above sea level in the equatorial tropics. Trees are mainly within 15° latitude of the equator. They need plenty of soil moisture and a rich soil. For a tropical tree it can tolerate cooler temperatures down to 23°C and can tolerate temperatures up to 46°C. A rainfall of over 2000 mm evenly distributed throughout the year is best. A drier period during flowering is beneficial. Poorly drained or sandy soil are not suitable. It can grow well in acid soils with pH 5-6.5. In the Philippines they occur from Davao to Butuan and central Mindanao. It suits hardiness zone 12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bougainville, Brazil, Cambodia, Central America, China, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominica, East Africa, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia (country/location of origin), Mexico, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Pohnpei, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South America, Sri Lanka, Tahiti, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Indies, West Papua

How it is used for food

The flesh around the seeds is eaten. Fruit need to be eaten within 2 days of falling from the tree. Fruit should only be opened at time of eating as the flesh goes sour. The unripe fruit can be cooked as a vegetable. Fruit are also processed for ice-creams and desserts. The seeds are edible, usually cooked. The young leaves and shoots can be cooked and eaten. The raw fruit is used as a vegetable or in soups.

Very common in Indonesia and Malaysia. Introduced into several coastal areas of Papua New Guinea and plantings are increasing. At present fruit are mainly used by Asians. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Trees grow readily from seed. Seeds need to be fresh. Seeds germinate in about 3 days and can be transplanted in about 4 weeks. Seeds do not breed true. Trees fruit about 7 years after planting. Trees can be grown by budding or grafting. A spacing of at least 14 m between plants is needed. Grafted trees seldom reach 20 m height. Heavy mulching near the trunk can help patch canker (Phytophthora palmivora) to develop. Trees should be pruned and shaped for uniform branching and by topping to reduce excessive growth and give optimum production.

Grafted trees can produce in 4-5 years but seedling trees take 10 years. Flowers are cross pollinated by bats. Normally flowers cannot self pollinate. Flowers open in the afternoon and fall by next morning. Up to 50 fruit can be produced per tree per year. Between 0 and 400 fruit can grow on one tree and this varies with season. Fruit can be up to 3-5 kg weight. Fruiting is seasonal. Fruit take between 90 to 130 days from flowering to maturity depending on variety.

Its other names

Local names

Ambetan, Civet fruit, Dian, Dulian, Durang kampong, Duren, Durian hutan, Durian liar, Durio, Du-yin, Hampak, Kadu, Kalang, Lahong, Liu lian, Pele diyan, Penak, Pendok, Rian amat, Sempa, Shempa, Sau rieng, Thurian, To-ray, Tuang, Turen, Turian, Tutong

Synonyms

Durio acuminatissima Merr.;