Nephelium cuspidatum, treated here in the wide sense, is a rather complex species with six distinct varieties. At its extremes it appears very different, but these extreme differences are connected directly or indierectly via the common and widespread form var eriopetalum[].

Common Name: Lotong

General Information

Lotong is occasionally an evergreen shrub, more commonly a tree that can grow as tall as 40 metres, but is usually rather smaller. The bole can be up to 80cm in diameter, sometimes with small buttresses[].
The edible fruits are gathered from the wild and the tree is also occasionally cultivated in gardens and villages within its native range[]. The fruit has some potential for commercial cultivation, producing a fruit similar to the rambutan but with a more acid or 'wild' flavour that is preferred by some[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Middle storey trees of the lowland primary rain forest, occasionally in secondary formations, largely confined to well-drained land on hills, ridges and slopes, on sandy, yellow sandy clay or clay soils; at elevations to 800 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of hot, wet, tropical lowlands[].
Species in this genus generally succeed in full sun to partial shade, growing best in a deep, frertile, well-drained soil[].
Species in this genus are generally dioecious, though monoecious forms are sometimes found. Normally, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are reguired'451].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A fresh, slightly sour taste[]. The globose fruit is 3 - 5cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Wood - sometimes used for construction, but generally not considered to be of good quality[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a very short viability and so needs to be sown as soon as it is extracted from the fruit[]. Wash the seed first to remove traces of the fruit[]. Sow the seed in containers or in a nursery seedbed in light shade - germination should take place in 7 - 20 days[]. Properly cared for, the seedlings grow rapidly[]. They quickly produce a large root system and so need to be planted out into their permanent positions when still young[].
Layering.
Grafting.

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