Botanical Name: Lansium parasiticum
Family: Meliaceae
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Genus: Lansium
Species: L. parasiticum
Synonyms:
*Aglaia aquea (Jacq.) Kosterm.
*Aglaia domestica (Corrêa) Pellegr.
*Aglaia dookoo Griff.
*Aglaia intricatoreticulata Kosterm.
*Aglaia merrillii Elmer nom. inval.
*Aglaia sepalina (Kosterm.) Kosterm.
*Aglaia steenisii Kosterm.
*Amoora racemosa Ridl.
*Lachanodendron domesticum (Corrêa) Nees
*Lansium domesticum Corrêa
*Melia parasitica Osbeck
Common Names: Duku fruit, Langsat or Lanzones
Habitat:
Lansium parasiticum is native to the Malesian phytochorion of Southeast Asia, from Peninsular Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia, to Java, Sumatra, Borneo, the Philippines (Luzon, Camiguin, Basilan, and Mindanao), Sulawesi, the Moluccas, and Western New Guinea.
It has also been introduced to Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Micronesia, Hawaii, Sri Lanka, India, the Seychelles, Trinidad & Tobago, and Surinam, among others
The greatest producers of Lansium parasiticum are Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. The production is mostly for internal consumption, although some is exported to Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuwait.
Description:
The tree is average sized, reaching 30 metres (98 ft) in height and 75 centimetres (30 in) in diameter. Seedling trees 30 years old planted at 8 x 8 meter spacing can have a height of 10 meters and diameter of 25 cm. The trunk grows in an irregular manner, with its buttress roots showing above ground. The tree’s bark is a greyish colour, with light and dark spots. Its resin is thick and milk coloured.
The pinnately compound leaves are odd numbered, with thin hair, and 6 to 9 buds at intervals. The buds are long and elliptical, approximately 9 to 21 centimetres (3.5 to 8.3 in) by 5 to 10 centimetres (2.0 to 3.9 in) in size. The upper edge shines, and the leaves themselves have pointed bases and tips. The stems of the buds measure 5 to 12 millimetres (0.20 to 0.47 in).
The flowers are located in inflorescences that grow and hang from large branches or the trunk; the bunches may number up to 5 in one place. They are often branched at their base, measure 10 to 30 centimetres (3.9 to 11.8 in) in size, and have short fur. The flowers are small, with short stems, and have two genders. The sheathe is shaped like a five lobed cup and is coloured a greenish-yellow. The corona is egg-shaped and hard, measuring 2 to 3 millimetres (0.079 to 0.118 in) by 4 to 5 millimetres (0.16 to 0.20 in). There is one stamen, measuring 2 millimetres (0.079 in) in length. The top of the stamen is round. The pistil is short and thick.
The fruit can be elliptical, ovoid or round, measuring 2 to 7 centimetres (0.79 to 2.76 in) by 1.5 to 5 centimetres (0.59 to 1.97 in) in size. Fruits look much like small potatoes and are borne in clusters similar to grapes. The larger fruits are on the variety known as duku. It is covered by thin, yellow hair giving a slightly fuzzy aspect. The skin thickness varies with the varieties, from 2 millimetres (0.079 in) to approximately 6 millimetres (0.24 in). The fruit contains 1 to 3 seeds, flat, and bitter tasting; the seeds are covered with a thick, clear-white aril that tastes sweet and sour. The taste has been likened to a combination of grape and grapefruit and is considered excellent by most. The sweet juicy flesh contains sucrose, fructose, and glucose.For consumption, cultivars with small or undeveloped seeds and thick aril are preferred.
Edible Uses:
Lansium parasiticum is cultivated mainly for its fruit, which can be eaten raw. The fruit can also be bottled in syrup.
Health Benefits:
*As an antioxidant
*Helps to maintain gum health
*Prevents premature aging
*Helps help an athlete in his recovery after a strenuous workout.
*Improves digestive system
*Helps weight management
- Controles cholesterol levels
*Helps to Maintain healthy skin
Medicinal Uses:
Some parts of the plant are used in making traditional medicine. The bitter seeds can be pounded and mixed with water to make a deworming and ulcer medication. The bark is used to treat dysentery and malaria; the powdered bark can also be used to treat scorpion stings. The fruit’s skin is used to treat diarrhea, and in the Philippines the dried skin is burned as a mosquito repellent. The skin, especially of the langsat variety, can be dried and burned as incense.
Other Uses:
The wood is hard, thick, heavy, and resilient, allowing it to be used in the construction of rural houses.
Disclaimer : The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplement, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lansium_parasiticum
http://vegetafruit.com/2014/10/10-amazing-benefits-of-duku-fruits.html
