Durian

Durio zibethinus L.

Durio graveolens Becc.

(and related species)

DURE-ee-oh zie-bah-THIGH-nun-us grav-ee-OH-lens

Bombacaceae

Explanation of name:  The generic name comes from the Malay word duri for thorn.  Zibethinus is borrowed from the name for the Indian Civet Cat, possibly due to the musky odor of the fruit. Graveolens is Latin for smelly.

Natural range:  Tropical Asia.

Recognition:  Large tree with elliptic to ovate leaves having rusty or silvery scales beneath.  Flowers with 5 sepals and 3 petals, borne on old trunk branches. Fruit large and spiny, and smelly. Unlike the similar spiny-fruited Breadfruits and Jackfruits, Durian fruits are divided into compartments and have more sharply pointed spines.

Durio graveolens has the fruit fleshy reddish (or yellow).

Landscape uses:  Tree with edible fruit.  May be grown from seed, which lose viability in a week especially if exposed to light (see on-line reference to Morton below). Cuttings and air layers reportedly disappointing. The tree is often grafted.  Durians may be grown in Florida, but are very cold-sensitive and generally not a good match to Florida soils.

Internet sources:  http://tropical-fruits.biz/

http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=Durio_sp

http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=10066&pst=524194

http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/red_fleshed_durian.htm

http://www.jstor.org/pss/4252379

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/durian_ars.html

http://www.echonet.org/content/fruitInformation/884