Nephelium lappaceum aka Rambutan

Taxonomy

Genus Nephelium Family Sapindaceae Order Sapindales Class Magnoliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta
Nephelium lappaceum, commonly known as rambutan, is a medium-sized evergreen tree in the Sapindaceae family, native to Southeast Asia. It can grow up to 12-20 meters in height and bears alternate, pinnate leaves with three to 11 leaflets. The small flowers are apetalous, discoidal, and borne in erect terminal panicles. Rambutan trees can be male, female, or hermaphroditic. The fruit, a round to oval single-seeded drupe, is 3-6 cm long and 3-4 cm broad, covered with fleshy pliable spines that contribute to the fruit's transpiration. The leathery skin is reddish, rarely orange or yellow. The aril, which is translucent, whitish, or very pale pink, has a sweet, mildly acidic flavor reminiscent of grapes. The single seed is glossy brown, 1-1.3 cm, with a white basal scar. The seeds may be cooked and eaten, as well as the peeled fruits, which can be eaten raw or cooked. Rambutan is closely related to several other edible tropical fruits, including the lychee, longan, pulasan, and guinep. Rambutan is a super rare houseplant that needs regular watering and abundant sunlight to thrive, ideally less than 3 feet from a window.

Common names

Rambutan, Buluan, Rambt, Pulasan, (Mandarin)

How to care for Rambutan

Difficulty

With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Rambutan, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.

Water

Rambutan should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

Rambutan requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Pulasan is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Rambutan plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Region of origin

Rambutan’s native range is E. Asia - China, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines.

More info:
Wikipedia

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More Species in Nephelium Genus

Nephelium lappaceum Rambutan