Family: Sapindaceae
Common name: Rambutan, Ramboostan, Hairy lychee
Rambutan is a tropical fruit tree that produces fragrant, hairy red fruits that taste like lychees. They are native to Southeast Asia and are grown commercially in most tropical countries for their delicious fruits.
These trees grow well in home gardens, parks, or in cultivated areas.
Plant characteristics
Rambutan tree can grow to a height of 15-20 meters with a straight greyish-brown trunk and a spreading crown.
There are male trees that produce only male flowers but no fruits; female trees that produce female flowers and fruits after pollination; and hermaphroditic trees that produce a large number of female flowers and few male flowers.
Leaves are large, about 20-30 cm long, pinnate containing 3-11 leaflets in each leaf. Leaflets are 10-15 cm long, dark glossy green with a smooth margin. The upper surface of the leaves are darker than the pale lower sides.
Rambutan flowers are tiny, only 2-5 mm in diameter without actual petals. They are produced in large clusters, their fragrance attracting all kinds of bees, insects, ants, butterflies, and small animals into the garden.
Once the flowers are pollinated, they produce rounded oval fruits that are 4-7 cm long and 3-4 cm broad in large clusters of 15-20.
The skin of the fruit is initially green, turning red as the fruit matures. Fruits are covered with long, fleshy hairs which are also initially green, later turning red and yellow.
The pulp of the fruit is translucent, juicy, and sweet; stuck to the single seed inside, making it difficult to eat.
You can either eat the fruit whole, sucking on the pulp and spitting the seed out. Or cut thin slices of the pulp and eat them, unhindered by the seed. Either way, it is impossible to remove all the pulp from the seed, which makes the fruit a little inferior to lychees in the eating experience.
Gardening Tips
Rambutan trees thrive in moist, warm climates and are hence grown in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, India, and the Philippines in addition to many other tropical countries. They prefer bright sunlight and well-drained soil, and they cannot tolerate temperatures below 10°C.
Rambutan trees can be planted at the beginning of rainy season so that the young plant’s watering needs are taken care of. Once established in the soil, the tree will continue to yield abundant fruits without too much care.
Most species available commercially are hermaphroditic, but it is possible that you could end up with a male tree that does not yield any fruits.
Pruning is needed to keep the tree rounded without growing too tall, which could make it difficult to harvest. Fertilization during growing season can yield more fruits while keeping the tree healthy and free from pest infections.
Fruits have to ripen on the tree and have a short shelf-life. It is better to refrigerate them once they are fully ripe.
Uses of Rambutan
Rambutan fruits can be eaten raw or made into relishes, jams, or preserves. They are also used in some savory dishes and curries.
Rambutan fruits have some antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. The high amount of fiber in the fruit helps in digestive health as well as weight loss.
The name Rambutan comes from the Malay word ‘rambut’ which means hair, referring to the hairy fruits. The botanical name Lappaceum comes from the Latin word ‘lappaceus’ meaning ‘burlike’, again referring to the hairs on the fruits.
The fruit pulp is attached to the seed in most cultivars, but there are some cultivars where the seeds can be fully separated. And these are in high demand.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, grafting, and air layering. Seeds take 15-30 days to germinate and the trees are much slower in flowering and fruiting.
Grafting and air layering have much better success rate in creating trees that produce fruits faster.
Photographed at: Thrissur, Kerala; Kings Flora Organic Farm Resort, Wayanad
