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The durian is notorious for its putrid smell, but is widely
cultivated as a fruit tree in the Asian tropics.
The tree grows to 120 ft (36 m) in the wild.
The leaves are 8 in (20 cm) long, dark green above and paler on the
undersides.
The greenish white or pink flowers, in clusters of 3 to 30, grow
directly on the trunk and branches.
The large, spiny, green to yellow fruits are up to 15 in (38 cm)
long.
Cultivation: They prefer moist, humus-rich soil with full sun or
dappled shade.
The species may be propagated from seed but the best fruiting
cultivars are grafted or budded.
Several parts of the tree are used medicinally. Fruit supposed to
restore the health of ailing humans and animals; according to
popular belief, sickness and even death may strike people who
consume durian in conjunction with alcohol. Leaves as bath for
jaundice. Leaves-roots for fever. Fruit as depurative, vermifuge and
tonic. Fruit walls for external complaints. |
