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Botany Of Durian
By Peace | December 14, 2007
Durian: Durio zibethinus (Family Bombacaceae)
Aril is the part of the durian being eaten. It is the soft, sticky, creamy and succulent flesh of the durian.
Durian belongs to the types of fruits known as capsule. Durian is a common name and its Botanical Name is Durio zibethinus. It belongs to the family Bombacaceae.
The durian tree can grow up to as high as 50m in height, with a straight slender trunk, with thick branches high on the trunk. When young, the branches start low almost near the ground.
The leaves of the durian trees are pointed and elliptical in shape, about 28cm long and 10cm broad. The colour varies from bronze to olive green. They have a smooth, shiny upper surface and the lower surface is covered with silver-grey hairs.
The durian flowers are 5-6cm long and arranged in bunches. They are pollinated by bats and do not last more than one night.
The durian fruit is round to elliptical, weighing up to 3kg. The surface is covered with thick spines. The fruit is a capsule splitting into 4-5 parts at maturity. The brown seeds are large and embedded in a soft, juicy, cream-coloured pulp which is eaten. This pulp is the aril. The seeds are also edible, boiled or roasted.
Durian Medicinal Uses
The Malays use a decoction of the roots to treat a lingering fever. A decoction of the leaves is used as a bath for those afflicted with jaundice.
Topics: Food |
