Longan

DIMOCARPUS LONGAN

Common Name: Longan

Chinese Name: 龍眼

Family: Sapindaceae (Sapindoideae) 無患子科

Scientific Name: Dimocarpus longan

Plant Type: Angiosperms (dicotyledons)

Flowering Period: Feb-May (Spring)

Fruiting Period: Jun-Aug

Nativity to China/HK: Exotic

Facts:

• The Longan has alternate, paripannate leaves of about 4 - 10 opposite leaflets

• Some leaves are long, elliptical and are usually between 10 - 20 cm long and 3 - 5 cm wide

• Its leaves are leathery, wavy, glossy-green on the upper surface and have greyish green hairs on the lower surface

• Its flowers are pale yellow in colour and have hairy stalks and about 5 - 6 petals. They are borne in upright terinal panicles, with male and female flowers mingling together.

• The Longan has spherical/oval fruits about 2 - 3 cm in diameter, which are edible and can be used to make Chinese medicine to ease insomnia and enhance blood circulation.

• The skin of the fruit is tan or light brown, thin and leathery. Its pulp is whitish and translucent. Each fruit holds 1 seed, which is brown or dark brown in colour, globular, and shiny.

• The Longan can tolerate drought and windy conditions. However, they cannot defend themselves against water-logged soil, saline soil, and cold weather.

Location

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