Durian meragang
Durio dulcis

Family: Malvaceae

What it is like

A very large tree. It grows 43 m tall. The trunk can be 80 cm across. It has large buttresses. The leaves are alternate and simple. The leaves are glossy with a golden colour underneath. The fruit are red skinned. They are 12-23 cm across. They have slender 15-20 mm long spines. The flesh has a deep caramel flavour. Fruit are hard to open. The seeds are brown and covered with a dark yellow covering or aril.

There are about 20 Durio species. Also put in the family Durionaceae. In the subfamily Bombacoideae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs naturally in Sarawak and Kalimantan. It is scattered in the rain forest. It grows from sea level up to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Brunei, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Malaysia (country/location of origin), SE Asia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten fresh. They are sweet. They have a strong smell. The seeds are eaten boiled or roasted.

It is occasionally cultivated as a fruit tree.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Dianjau, Durian bala, Durian merah, Durian tinggang, Duyen, Lahong, Lahung, Lajung, Lalit manuk, Layung, Pesasang, Rian tutong, Tutong

Synonyms

Durio conicus Becc.;