Nephelium ramboutan-ake - (Labill.) Leenh.

(Labill.) Leenh.

Pulasan

Sapindaceae Edible: Fruit, Oil, Seed

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HP Lim

gbif· cc-by-nc

HP Lim

gbif· cc-by-nc

Nur Azleen Jamaluddin

Description

Nephelium ramboutan-ake is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

Oil. Fruit - raw or cooked. The delicious white flesh of the fruit is less juicy than the rambutan (N. lappaceum), is sweeter and has a less sprightly taste. Much eaten out of hand, it can also be used in jams and compotes. The fruit ranges in size from 40 to 70 mm long and 40 to 60 mm in diameter. The seed is roasted and used in the preparation of a cocoa-like beverage. An oil is obtained from the seed. Used in cooking.

Medicinal Uses

Miscellany. The roots have medicinal properties.

Distribution

E. Asia - India, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

Where It Grows

TROPICAL ASIA: India, Assam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Kalimantan, Jawa, Maluku (perhaps not native), Sumatera, Malaysia, Philippines,

Cultivation

Pulasan grows best in the lowland humid tropics at an elevation below 600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 26 - 32°c, but can tolerate 18 - 38°c. The plant cannot tolerate frost. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,000 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,350 - 4,100mm. Grows best in a sunny position, tolerating some shade. Prefers a sand or clay soil. Succeeds in most well-drained soils. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 5.8, tolerating 4.3 - 8. There are some named varieties. Some of the varieties bear parthenocarpic fruit. Being overshadowed by good rambutan cultivars, this species has little prospect of being develop for commercial cultivation. However, it is a good potential genetic source in breeding programmes with the rambutan.

Propagation

Seed - it has a very short viability and so needs to be sown as soon as it is extracted from the fruit. Wash the seed first to remove traces of the fruit. When ripe, the seed germinates very quickly and grows rapidly. Seedlings quickly produce a large root system and so need to be planted out into their permanent positions when still young. The seed has a very short viability and needs to be sown as soon as possible after the fruit is harvested.

Other Uses

Lighting Miscellany Oil Plant breeding Wood. Other Uses An oil obtained from the seeds is used in lamps. The wood is hard. A useful timber, but rarely used because the fruit is too valuable to merit the tree being felled.