Durian (also known as the King of Fruits)
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Tracheophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Malvales, Family: Malvaceae, Genus: Durio, Species: Durio zibethinus · Malvaceae (Mallow family) · Simple, evergreen leaf
Species
Durio zibethinus
Leaf Type
Simple, evergreen leaf
Family
Malvaceae (Mallow family)
Shape
Oblanceolate to elliptic with an acuminate apex
Size
Typically 4 to 8 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide
Margin
Entire (smooth) margin
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the woody stems
Rarity
Very Common in its native and cultivated regions of Southeast Asia, though rare outside tropical zones
Color & Pattern
Dark glossy green upper surface with a distinctive golden-brown or silvery scaly lower surface due to lepidote hairs
Venation Pattern
Pinnate venation with a prominent midrib
Texture & Surface
Leathery (coriaceous) with a smooth upper surface and scaly, pubescent lower surface
Description
The durian tree is a massive tropical evergreen growing up to 50 meters tall with rough, flaky bark. While the image shows the iconic spiky fruit rather than a leaf, the tree produces large, leathery leaves with golden undersides, clustered white or yellowish flowers pollinated by bats, and the infamous large, thorny fruit containing custard-like edible arils famous for their pungent aroma.
Key Features
Distinguished by large oblong-elliptic leaves with scaly golden-brown undersides and massive, woody fruits covered in sharp, pyramidal spikes with an intensely pungent odor
Habitat
Tropical lowland rainforests with high humidity, high temperatures, and well-drained deep alluvial or loamy soils
Geographic Range
Native to Southeast Asia, particularly Borneo and Sumatra, and widely cultivated throughout tropical regions of Southeast Asia such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia
Condition Notes
Not applicable as the image displays the interior and exterior of a harvested fruit rather than foliage
Interesting Facts
Often called the King of Fruits, durian is famous for its polarizing aroma that has led to it being banned from many public transit systems and hotels in Southeast Asia. Despite its strong smell, it is highly prized for its rich, custard-like taste.
Medicinal & Uses
The creamy aril is eaten fresh or used in traditional desserts, candies, and pastries. In traditional Southeast Asian medicine, roots, bark, and leaves have been used to make poultices for fevers and jaundice. The wood is also used for light construction.
Ecological Role
Plays a vital role in tropical rainforest ecosystems by providing nectar for nectar-feeding bats and insects, and food for various arboreal mammals that help disperse seeds
Similar Species
Other Durio species such as Durio kutejensis (Kulai or Red Durian) and Durio graveolens, which differ in fruit spine length, flesh color, and geographical distribution
Foraging Tips
Typically found in tropical orchards and local markets in Southeast Asia rather than wild foraging, usually harvested when fruits fall naturally from the tall canopy trees
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic fruit, but consuming durian alongside alcohol is strongly discouraged in traditional folklore and modern health warnings due to potential metabolic interference causing severe discomfort