Kahala Longan (Dimocarpus longan) a closely related variety (photo courtesy Top Tropicals - TopTropicals.com)
Native Longan
Dimocarpus australianus
Sapindaceae family
Grown from seedling
Also known as Australian Native Lychee, it is a species of trees closely related to the Longan. This is one of our very rare and little known native bush foods.
The fruit has a musky, sweet taste similar to dates, sweeter than a Longan, and drier and less messily juicy than a Lychee. The fruit has a bark-like shell, thin, but firm, making the fruit easy to peel by squeezing the pulp out. Best eaten fresh out of hand.
The tree can reach 10m high, though is best kept to a manageable height of around 3m.
Native to tropical North QLD.
Tree Maintenance
Pruning
Dimocarpus australianus
Sapindaceae family
Grown from seedling
Also known as Australian Native Lychee, it is a species of trees closely related to the Longan. This is one of our very rare and little known native bush foods.
The fruit has a musky, sweet taste similar to dates, sweeter than a Longan, and drier and less messily juicy than a Lychee. The fruit has a bark-like shell, thin, but firm, making the fruit easy to peel by squeezing the pulp out. Best eaten fresh out of hand.
The tree can reach 10m high, though is best kept to a manageable height of around 3m.
Native to tropical North QLD.
Tree Maintenance
Pruning
- Prune immediately after harvest.
- Thinning of flowers and fruit clusters may increase the size and quality of the fruit.
- Spring (early): liquid seaweed, compost around drip line.
- Autumn: liquid seaweed, rock mineral (crusher dust).
- Fruit fly netting (bags or tree net) after fruit set.
Native Longan at LCG December 2024 (photo credit: Jacqui Lachmann)
Native Longan at LCG August 2022 (photo credit: Graham Bond)
