Pometia pinnata
| Pometia pinnata | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific name | Pometia pinnata |
| Common names | Fijian longan |
| Genus | Pometia |
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Fruit type | Drupe |
| Growth form | Large, fast-growing evergreen tree |
| Native range | India and Malesia eastward to the Pacific islands; the checked secondary account gives a broad eastern-Asia-to-Pacific range |
| Mature size | Up to about 40 m in the checked tree account; site-dependent |
| Years to fruit | N/A — no dependable species-appropriate first-fruiting value located |
Pometia pinnata is Fijian longan, a large evergreen fruit tree in the Sapindaceae.
Description[edit | edit source]
Pometia pinnata is a large evergreen tree in the Sapindaceae, grown locally in parts of its Pacific and Malesian range for the edible fruit commonly called Fijian longan. Proposed synonymy with Allophylus cobbe remains unresolved. [1] [2] [3]
Distribution and habitat[edit | edit source]
The checked account places the species in lowland riverbanks, humid woodland, swampy forest, forest edges, open woodland, lava flows, and village plantings. It describes a humid lowland plant usually below 500 m, with occasional records to about 1,700 m and without a severe dry season. These habitat observations do not justify treating every plant as flood-tolerant. [3]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
The source account reports deep, rich, moist soil and records the species on limestone, clayey, sandy, and loamy soils, with occasional freshwater-swamp sites. In cultivation, retain moisture while maintaining root aeration; a swamp occurrence is not a recommendation for stagnant container soil. [3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Full sun or light shade is reported. Young trees in dry or exposed sites should be protected from rapid moisture loss, while established trees need adequate light for vigorous growth. The available sources describe humid atmospheric conditions but do not support a numeric humidity target.
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The checked account describes a humid climate with roughly 1,500–5,000 mm annual rainfall and no severe dry season. A species-wide flowering calendar and dependable harvest season were not established. In cultivation, irrigation should be reduced only cautiously during any local dry period, and Years to fruit remains N/A.
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Seed propagation is documented; the source account also mentions softwood cuttings. Fresh-seed handling, germination timing, and comparative cutting success remain insufficiently established for more exact instructions. [3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The fruit is described as a semi-transparent white-fleshed, aromatic, juicy, sweet fruit said to resemble rambutan. A reliable species-wide harvest calendar, fruiting age, and storage recommendation are not established; those values remain N/A.
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is eaten raw. The wood is also used for fuel and household materials, but commercial timber performance is not established by the cited account. [3]
Photos[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Image credits[edit | edit source]
- Pometia pinnata 173719090.jpg — photo by 葉子; CC0. Commons file page.
- Pometia pinnata, flowering.jpg — photo by Tauʻolunga; CC BY-SA 3.0. Commons file page.
- Pometia pinnata 27342724.jpg — photo by Ong Jyh Seng; CC BY-SA 4.0. Commons file page.
