Nephelium lappaceum L.
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Authority
Popenoe, Wilson. 1924. Economic fruit-bearing plants of Ecuador. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 24: i-ix, 101-134. pl. 34-49.
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Family
Sapindaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - This excellent Malayan fruit is produced by an erect, rather slender tree which reaches 9 or 10 meters in height. Its leaves are compound, with five to seven pairs of elliptic to oblong, glabrate leaflets about 10 cm. in length. The flowers are produced in loose axillary and terminal panicles, and are small, pubescent, and devoid of petals. The fruits are oval, about 5 cm. long, crimson, and covered with soft fleshy spines about a centimeter long. The outer covering is thin and leathery; when this is torn off, the white, translucent, juicy flesh is exposed. Within this is a large, oblong, somewhat flattened seed to which the flesh adheres closely.
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Discussion
The rambutan is eaten out of hand, and its cultivation could be extended to advantage in Ecuador, since it seems to succeed admirably in the coastal lowlands.
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Common Names
rambutan