Rambutan fruit (photo courtesy Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery www.daleysfruit.com.au)
Rambutan
Nephelium lappaceum
Sapindaceae family
This tropical tree is very cold sensitive - Lennox Head is a marginal climate for it.
A bright red colour indicates the fruit's ripeness. The fruit is translucent on the inside, covered with a red leathery skin with soft spines. It has a floral sweet flavour, and is best eaten straight after harvesting (or keep covered in the fridge for up to 1 week to avoid losing moisture). Avoid eating the seeds - too many are poisonous.
Native to southeast Asia.
Tree Provenance
This tree hasn't been planted at Lennox Community Gardens yet; the specimen intended to be planted died. Our tropical fruit specialist, Grant, has a Rambutan tree at home that he will propagate using marcotting and plant at the Gardens.
Nephelium lappaceum
Sapindaceae family
This tropical tree is very cold sensitive - Lennox Head is a marginal climate for it.
A bright red colour indicates the fruit's ripeness. The fruit is translucent on the inside, covered with a red leathery skin with soft spines. It has a floral sweet flavour, and is best eaten straight after harvesting (or keep covered in the fridge for up to 1 week to avoid losing moisture). Avoid eating the seeds - too many are poisonous.
Native to southeast Asia.
Tree Provenance
This tree hasn't been planted at Lennox Community Gardens yet; the specimen intended to be planted died. Our tropical fruit specialist, Grant, has a Rambutan tree at home that he will propagate using marcotting and plant at the Gardens.
