Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Dimocarpus longan
Food
Fuelwood
Medicinal
Product
English Common Name
Longan
Indonesian Common Name
Kelengkeng, Ihau
Tree Family
Sapindaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
24cm
Length
×
10.75cm
Width
Tree Height
Large (> 35m)
Elevational Range (m)
150–450m
0 3000
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Exotic in Indonesia

Native to

Region
Asia
Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam

Exotic in

SE Asia
Laos, Philippines
Indonesia
Borneo, Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, Sumatra

Coffee Agroforestry Information

Coffee System
Robusta
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Unknown
Prevalence
Unknown
Cultivation
Planted
Regeneration
Regenerates Naturally
Tree Management

Propagated by "air layering" (i.e. rooting from branches/stems) during rainy season. Roots develop in 2.5 months and are nursed in the shade for 6-12 months after separation. Planted at 6 m x 6 m to 12 m x 12 m. Rooted seedlings should be planted close to the young trees to improve stability. Trees should be supported by permanent bamboo props with soil mounded around the trunk. Thrives on rich sandy loams and oolitic limestone. Pruning is essential to allow more light into interior of the tree and to limit number of main branches and flower-bearing twigs (3/4 of flower spikes in cluster should be removed) and fruit clusters thinned to improve size and quality. Crown should be maintained at a height of at least 1 m. Mulching and supplemental irrigation recommended due to heavy water requirement from flowering until shortly before harvest. Once trees are dormant at the end of growing season rainfall may trigger a new flush of shoot growth, resulting in failure of flowering.

Tree Benefits and Uses

Farmer Uses
  • Food
  • Fuelwood
  • Medicinal
  • Product

Preferred fuelwood. Fruit are mainly eaten fresh, but can be canned in its own juice with little or no sugar. Canned longans retain their individual flavor better than do rambutan or lychee. They can be preserved dry and used to prepare a refreshing drink. A liqueur is made by macerating the longan flesh in alcohol. The seeds, with high saponin content, are used as a shampoo. Seed and fruit flesh of longan have medicinal uses, and the leaves contain quercetin and quercitrin. Honeybees only fed with this tree's nectar produces a premium honey product that can be sold for an expensive price.

Farm Services
  • Unknown
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes

Flowers and nectar are an important food source for honeybees. Mostly pollinated by stingless bee.