RAMBUTAN (Nephelium Lappaceum)
Belonging to the family Sapindaceae and originating from Malaysia, the rambutan is a medium-sized evergreen tree that can grow up to 30 meters tall. The tree crown is round and bushy with low and wide spreading branches. The bark is greyish brown, smooth and slightly scaly in older trees. Its leaves are elliptic and blunt and its flowers are small in large bunches, greenish white and faintly fragrant. Male and bi-sexual flowers generally occur on different trees. The fruits are roundish, covered with a thick, coarse hairs and turning red when ripening. The large oval seed is covered with a thick, juicy translucent white flesh. The tree fruits twice a year, the main season being between June and September.