Giant rambutan
Nephelium cuspidatum

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows to 40 m high. The trunk can be 80 cm across. There can be small buttresses. The twigs are have a soft covering. The bark can flake off. The leaves have 1-13 leaflets on each side of the stalk. The leaf stalk is densely hairy. The leaflets are oval and they taper to the tip. The base is rounded. The leaves are 6-35 cm long by 2-12.5 cm wide. They are hairy underneath. The flowering cluster can be in the axils of the upper leaves or on the trunk. The long spikes can hang down. The fruit are oval or round and 2-4 cm long by 2-3 cm across. It is a variable plant with named varieties and sub-varieties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is an under-storey tree in the forest. It grows from sea level to 800 m above sea level. It needs well drained fertile soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Guinea, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

It is cultivated for its fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bayong, Buah senkelang, Kachay, Kalambuko, Kapulasan, Lempukat, Lok, Mangalim, Parot, Pohon rambutan kabung, Pohon rambutan ketuma, Rugutuloh, Sanggul lotong, Sia, Sibau, Titi dan

Synonyms

Nephelium bassacense Pierre; Nephelium beccarianum Radlk.; Nephelium dasyneurum Radlk.; Nephelium eriopetalum Miq.; Nephelium multinerve Radlk.; Nephelium obliquinervis Radlk.; Nephelium ophiodes Radlk.; Nephelium robustum Radlk.;