Kapulasan, Pulasan
Nephelium mutabile

Family: Sapindaceae

What it is like

A large tree. It grows 10-15 m tall. The trunk is short and 30-40 cm across. The leaves are alternate and have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 20-45 cm long and have 2-5 pairs of leaflets that are almost opposite. The leaflets are 7-18 cm long by 5 cm wide. They are dark green above and more pale underneath. Trees can be separate male or female. The flowers are small and greenish. They can occur singly or in clusters. The fruit are small and oval with a leathery red skin. They have fleshy spines. The fruit are 5-6 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. The flesh lets light through and is sweet. The fruit is like a rambutan or lychee. There is one seed inside. See Nephelium ramboutan-ake.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is a very tropical species. It suits the hot humid tropical lowlands. It needs plenty of moisture and a humid climate. It grows naturally in Western Malaysia. It does best with an average temperature near 28°C. In Malaysia it grows between 100-350 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Central America, Costa Rica, Indochina, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten fresh. They are also stewed and made into jams and preserves. The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked. They can be boiled or roasted. The seeds also yield a cooking oil.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Plants can be male or female. Preferably plants are grown by air-layering or grafting. Usually air-layered plants do not live a long time. Budding should be done onto already established rootstocks. Trees can be spaced 8-10 m apart.

Its other names

Local names

Bulala, Kakus, Mak, Meritam, Onak, Polesan

Synonyms

See Nephelium ramboutan-ake (Labill.) Leenh.;