Wampi, Wampee
Clausena lansium

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A small evergreen tree. It grows up to 6-10 m high. The leaves are 10-30 cm long and with leaflets along the stalk. There are 7-15 pairs of leaflets which are 7-10 cm long. The flowers are in open flower stalk arrangements on the ends of branches. The fruit is small, round and yellow-green. It has a sweet smell. Fruit are 2.5 cm across. The skin is thin and easily peeled off. It is pliable and leathery. The flesh has five segments which are colourless. There are 1-3 flat green seeds. There are some named cultivated varieties.

There are about 23-30 Clausena species.

Where it is found

It is native to S. China. A subtropical fruit. It can withstand light frosts. They can grow in dry situations. It can grow on a range of well drained soils. It can grow in acid and alkaline soils. Iron chlorosis occurs on alkaline soils. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, China (country/location of origin), Cook Islands, Cuba, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit is eaten fresh or used in jellies. The skin and seeds are not eaten. The fruit can be preserved, dried, made into jams, pies or drinks. The leaves are used in curries. The juice is used for making a fermented champagne like drink.

It is widely grown in southern China. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Trees can easily be grown from softwood cuttings, air layering or grafting. As fruit occur near the tips of the branches pruning must only be done carefully.

It is fast growing. Trees start to produce fruit after 3-6 years. It can grow in moderately cool and dry places. Plants fruit in about 6 years. A mature tree can yield 45-50 kg of fruit in a year.

Its other names

Local names

Huangpi, Lansio, Mafai-jean, Pohon wampi, Song fa dong, Wong Pay, Yellow skin

Synonyms

Aulacia punctata Raeusch.; Clausena punctata (Sonn.) Rehder & E. H. Wilson; Clausena wampi (Blanco) Oliv.; Cookia punctata Sonn.; Cookia wampi Blanco; Lansium silvestre M. Roem.; ? Quinaria lansium Lour.; Sonneratia punctata (Sonn.) J. F. Gmel.;