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longan (Dimocarpus longan)

Dimocarpus longan is an evergreen, much-branched tree that can be cultivated as a fruit tree. It is reported to be perennial.

LightIt is reported to require abundant sunlight and light.
WaterIt is reported to require ample soil moisture from fruit development through ripening.
TemperatureSources differ, but a lower temperature of about -2 °C is reported. With few sources available, an ideal temperature range of about 18–30 °C is reported. With few sources available, a maximum temperature of about 36 °C i
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Overview

Dimocarpus longan is an evergreen, much-branched tree that can be cultivated as a fruit tree. It is reported to be perennial.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its native range, describing it as extending from southern China into Southeast Asia. It is reported from moist mountain woodland, the understory of primary forest, and secondary vegetation, and is also widely cultivated. It is suited to warm subtropical to tropical or frost-free warm-temperate climates, favoring warm, humid conditions; flowering generally requires a cooler, nearly frost-free period, and the plant is sensitive to frost and low temperatures.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, giving a range of about 900–1400 cm. It is reported to grow rapidly. Sources differ in descriptions of the foliage: the evergreen pinnate compound leaves are alternate, with dark green, glossy surfaces and somewhat leathery leaflets. It is reported to have small yellowish-white to pale yellow flowers in branched panicles at branch tips or leaf axils, with flowers of different functional sexes occurring within the same inflorescence; flowering is reported from spring to early summer, and the nearly spherical fruits occur in clusters, with pale brown to yellowish-brown skin, white to translucent juicy flesh, and a large, hard, dark brown to black seed.

Light

It is reported to require abundant sunlight and light.

Watering

It is reported to require ample soil moisture from fruit development through ripening.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources differ, but a lower temperature of about -2 °C is reported. With few sources available, an ideal temperature range of about 18–30 °C is reported. With few sources available, a maximum temperature of about 36 °C is reported.

Growing medium and mounting

It is reported to tolerate various soils, with a preference for sandy soil and better growth in well-drained, deep sandy loam.

Common problems

It is reported that flowering may be poor after warm winters or where there is no distinct cool season, while fruiting may also be poor in low-elevation tropical areas where the cool season is insufficient. It is reported to be sensitive to frost and low temperatures and to prefer environments where temperatures generally remain relatively warm, although brief colder conditions have also been reported.

Identification

It is reported that beneath the fruit skin, translucent flesh surrounds a large black seed with a white spot at its base, creating an eye-like appearance associated with the name “dragon's eye.”

Photos

Dimocarpus longan
📷 unknown · Public domain · source
Dimocarpus longan
📷 Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Dimocarpus longan
📷 no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · CC0 · source

Sources