Common Name: Durian

General Information

Durio zibethinus is a large evergreen tree with a conical crown, that can eventually reach a height of 25 - 40 metres, though generally only growing up to 12 metres in cultivation[, ]. The bole can be 50 - 120cm in diameter, forming buttresses[, ].
This is one of the most prized fruits of the tropics, being commonly cultivated and also gathered from the wild in southeastern Asia. The tree is also used locally as a source of other foods, as a medicine and a source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Malaysia.

Habitat

Dense lowland humid forests[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Moths
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Durian is a strictly tropical plant, growing successfully at elevations up to 800 metres near the equator, and up to 18° from it in Thailand and Australia[]. At its further distances from the equators, extension growth comes to a halt during the coolest months, when mean temperatures fall below 22°c[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 40°c, but can tolerate 12 - 45°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 3,500mm[]. The tree needs abundant, well-distributed rainfall but it can tolerate 2 - 3 dry months[]. Flowering and fruiting appear to be more prolific when the plant is grown in a more seasonal climate, as found at further distances from the equator[].
Prefers a sunny position in a deep, fertile, humus-rich loamy soil[]. Young trees should be given up to 50% shade, gradually reducing it as they grow larger[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.3 - 7.5[].
Seedling trees can commence cropping when about 7 - 8 years old, whilst grafted specimens can commence when 3 - 4 years old[].
Durio species usually flower once or twice a year[], though some specimens are known that flower all year round[]. The bisexual flowers open during the night and are pollinated mainly by moths and other night-flying insects. Production of the fruit is seasonal and is prone to alternate bearing[]. Trees bear fruit best on limbs that are more or less horizontal; upright limbs contribute more to tree size and height[]. Pruning dominant upright laterals to maintain 1 central leader is essential[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The ripening fruit produces a strongly unpleasant aroma, similar to a sewage works on a hot day, but the flesh has a delicious flavour that has been likened to pineapple with cream cheese, or a mixture of banana, caramel and vanilla with a hint of onion[, , ]. It is sometimes cooked as a vegetable[]. The fruit can be 25cm or more in diameter and weigh several kilos[]. Ripe fruits deteriorate rapidly, the best quality fruit being allowed to ripen on the tree[].

Seed - cooked. Boiled or roasted and eaten as nuts[, ].

Flower petals, young leaves and shoots are edible[].

Medicinal

The fruit is used as an aphrodisiac[].

Other Uses

An extract of the fruit is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[].

The heartwood is dark red. The wood is coarse but relatively durable. It is used in interior construction and for making cheaper types of furniture and packing cases[, ].
The wood and dried fruit rind are used as a fuel[, ].
We do not have any more information on the wood of this species. However, a general description of the wood for species in this genus is as follows:-
The heartwood is pink-brown, red, or deep red-brown; it is not always sharply demarcated from the white, pale yellow-brown or light reddish-yellow sapwood. The texture is coarse; the grain straight to interlocked; somewhat lustrous; it is reported to have a foetid odour. The wood is not durable, and not resistant to termite attack; the sapwood is prone to powder-post beetle attack. It dries rapidly, but thin boards may tend to cup. The wood saws easily and generally dresses smoothly; nailing qualities are good. It is used for purposes such as furniture components, veneer and plywood, light construction[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe in containers at a temperature of 22°c[]. Germination is usually very good, taking 3 - 8 days[]. The seed can also be sown directly into its permanent position[]. Seedling trees only take about 7 years before beginning to bear fruit[]. Seeds are recalcitrant; they lose viability within 2 weeks[].
Grafting.

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