Durio zibethinus

Durio zibethinus is the most common tree species in the genus Durio, commonly known as durian and has edible fruits by the same name. As with most other durian species, the edible flesh emits a distinctive odour that is strong and penetrating even when the husk is intact. Some people regard the durian as having a pleasantly sweet fragrance; others find the aroma overpowering and revolting. The persistence of its odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in Southeast Asia. There are 30 recognised Durio species, at least nine of which produce edible fruit. D. zibethinus is the only species available in the international market: other species are sold in their local regions. There are hundreds of cultivars of D. zibethinus; many consumers express preferences for specific cultivars, which fetch higher prices in the market.

Description

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.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked as a vegetable. Ripening fruit produces a strongly unpleasant aroma — similar to a sewage works on a hot day — but the flesh has a delicious flavour likened to pineapple with cream cheese, or a mixture of banana, caramel and vanilla with a hint of onion. Fruits can reach 25cm or more in diameter and weigh several kilos. Ripe fruits deteriorate rapidly, so the best quality fruit is allowed to ripen on the tree. The seeds are boiled or roasted and eaten like nuts. Flower petals, young leaves, and shoots are also edible.

Traditional Uses

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.

Medicinal Uses

The fruit is used as an aphrodisiac.

Known Hazards

Seed is poisonous if ingested

Distribution

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.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bougainville, Brazil, Cambodia, Central America, China, Cook Islands, Cuba, Dominica, East Africa, Fiji, French Polynesia, FSM, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia*, Jamaica, Laos, Malaysia*, Mexico, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, 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,

Cultivation

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.

Propagation

Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in containers at 22°c, though it can also be sown directly into its permanent position. Seedling trees begin bearing fruit in around 7 years. Seeds are recalcitrant and lose viability within 2 weeks. The plant can also be propagated by grafting.

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark red and the wood is coarse but relatively durable, used in interior construction and for making cheaper furniture and packing cases. The wood and dried fruit rind are used as fuel. More broadly, wood from this genus is pink-brown, red, or deep red-brown, not always clearly distinguished from the white to light reddish-yellow sapwood. The texture is coarse, the grain straight to interlocked, somewhat lustrous, and reportedly foetid in odour. The wood is not durable and is not resistant to termite attack; the sapwood is prone to powder-post beetle attack. It dries rapidly, though thin boards may cup. The wood saws easily and generally dresses smoothly with good nailing qualities. Uses include furniture components, veneer and plywood, and light construction.

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.

Other Information

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.

Notes

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.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

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

References (95)

• Durian references
• AAK, 1980, Bertanam Pohon Buah-buahan. Penerbitan Yayasan Kanisius, Jogyakarta. p 73
• Alexander, D.M., Scholefield, P.B., Frodsham, A., 1982, Some tree fruits for tropical Australia. CSIRO, Australia. p 21
• Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 186
• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 69

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