Family Name: Sapindaceae

Synonyms: Dimocarpus crinita, Euphoria nephelium

Common Name: Rambutan, Hairy Lychee, 红毛丹

Nephelium lappaceum or "Rambutan" is a tropical tree that is beloved for its sweet, hairy-looking, red or yellow skinned fruit. Its common name comes from the Malay word "rambut" which means hair, alluding to the hairy appearance of the fruit. Closely related to longan and lychee, this tree bears fruit seasonally and in abundance after a prolonged dry period, usually between June to August. The edible aril is white, sweet, juicy and fleshy, surrounding a single large 'woody' seed.

CLASSIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Plant Division : Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)

Plant Growth Form : Tree (Medium (16m-30m), Small (6m-15m))

Lifespan (in Singapore) : Perennial

Mode of Nutrition : Autotrophic

Plant Shape : Rounded

Maximum Height : 10 m to 25 m

Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width : 9 m to 12 m

PLANT CARE AND PROPAGATION

Light Preference : Full Sun

Water Preference : Moderate Water

Plant Growth Rate : Moderate

Maintenance Requirements : Moderate

Diseases : Fruits eaten by birds and bats. Propagation Method Seed, Grafting, Marcotting

Propagation Method Remarks : Trees grown from seed bear fruits in 5-6 years. Grafted and marcotted trees fruit in 1-2 years.