Nephelium lappaceum

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Nephelium lappaceum

Nephelium lappaceum (pronunciation: /nɛˈfiːliəm ləˈpeɪsiːəm/), commonly known as the Rambutan, is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae. The name also refers to the edible fruit produced by this tree. The rambutan is native to Southeast Asia.

Etymology

The term "Nephelium lappaceum" is derived from the Greek word "nephelium," which means "cloudy," and the Latin word "lappaceum," which means "covered in scales." This refers to the fruit's distinctive hairy appearance. The common name "rambutan" is derived from the Malay word "rambut," which means "hair," a reference to the numerous spiky protuberances of the fruit.

Description

The tree grows up to 10 to 25 m (33 to 82 ft) tall. The leaves are alternate, 10–30 cm long, pinnate, with 3-11 leaflets, each leaflet 5–15 cm wide and 3–10 cm broad. The flowers are small, 2.5–5 mm, disc-shaped, and borne in erect panicles 15–30 cm wide.

The fruit is a round to oval drupe 3–6 cm (rarely to 8 cm) long and 3–4 cm broad, borne in a loose pendant cluster of 10–20 together. The leathery skin is reddish (rarely orange or yellow), and covered with fleshy pliable spines, hence the name, which means 'hairs'. The fruit flesh is translucent, whitish or very pale pink, with a sweet, mildly acidic flavor.

Related Terms

  • Sapindaceae: The family of flowering plants to which the rambutan belongs.
  • Drupe: A type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside.
  • Panicle: A much-branched inflorescence.
  • Pinnate: A term used to describe a certain type of compound leaf that is feather-like in appearance.

External links

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