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AVOCADO PEAR, APUKADO Avocado pear is a native of Mexico, spreading to other tropical regions. It is an evergreen tree but some varieties do shed their leaves. It grows to 10-20 meters tall, with an erect stem and spreading branches. There are many varieties and location. Large numbers of flower are produced at the ends of branches. They are rather small, yellowish green in color. The fruit is also very variable in shape, from ` typical `pear shape to cucumber-like. Each fruit may weigh up to 1 kg. The color is yellowish green when young but on ripening changes to maroon, purple or even black. The skin is rather thin while the flesh is thick and greenish yellow in color. The fruit is very rich in oil and minerals and has a nutty flavor. It is not sweet but may be eaten with salt and pepper, or as a dessert or even soup. Avocado grows well in well drained soil with regular maturing. It is quite a hardy plant, and does not seem to be attacked by pests. Because of its high food value, this crop should be more widely grown, but suitable varieties have to be found for the local climate. When grown from seeds, its takes 6 years to bear fruit of uncertain quality. The best method of propagation is by budding. |
BACANG Bacang is an indigenous Malaysian fruit. It can be distinguished from other mangoes by its scentless, pinkish red flowers borne on copper red flowers stalks. Flowers are produced almost throughout the year in different localities, but mainly in two flushes once about December to March ant the other about May to July. The skin of the fruits is smooth, dull and green to yellowish green scattered with minute dark dots. The flesh is fibrous and orange or yellow in color; the pale yellow varieties are sweeter and less fibrous with less smell. The fruits are also used in curries for making chutney, for pickles, and sometimes made into sweetmeats. |
BANANA The banana is one of the most ancient of food plants, having been used, and perhaps cultivated, at the dawn of recorded history. It is a perennial herb with a height of 2-9 meters. The time to shooting is 7-9 months, and the time from shooting to harvesting is about 90 days. The fruit is a berry. The individual fruits are sometimes called fingers each cluster of fruits is called a hand and the fruit bunch is called stem. A bunch of banana may contain 5-15 hands with 5-20 fingers each. The size, shape, skin color, and the flavor, texture and color of the flesh vary with the cultivars (or varieties). Many varieties are grown in Malaysia. The banana is nutritionally similar to potato; the calorific value being about 100 calories per 100 grams. It has also a good content of vitamin A and fair in vitamin C. |
BLIMBING ASAM A native of Malaysia, it usually grows into a small slender tree up to 10 meters tall. It is quite commonly grown in the kampongs. Blimbing Asam can be easily distinguished from star fruit in that it has large leaves with 10-34 leaflets. The leaves are paler green than the star fruit. Flowers are produced all the year round especially during the drier parts of the year. The crimson flowers are borne on the stem and branches. Fruits are cylindrical or slightly 5 ambled in shape and vary from 5-10 cm long. They are greenish yellow to yellow when ripe, and are soft and fleshy with a few flat seeds in the centre. They are juicy but very sour, and are eaten as pickles or cooked as seasonings or curries. It is also possible to make candies and jams out of them. |
BOTTLE GOURD, LABU KENDIT This is a very old cultivated vegetable, at present grown all over the world in the tropics and subtropics. The origin is probably the Old World around Africa. It is an herbaceous plant, usually grown as a climber on built pergolas or stakes. They climb by twinning their stems and also with the aid of tendrils. The fruit is the attractive part of this plant. The outer layer is hand and tough so that it can be used as a vessel to hold water and liquor as it retains the smell and taste. When young, the fruit is green and soft. The flesh can be eaten as a vegetable. The beauty of this fruit also lies in its shape which enhances its decorative value. It can also be used as a sound box for musical instruments. Bottle ground grows easily in any garden soil. Propagation is by means of seeds. |
BRAZIL NUT Brazil nut is a native of the Amazon forest in South America, found wild in the forest and not as cultivated crop. The tree is very tall, growing up to 33 meters high with a small crown. Mature leaves are dark green turning to brownish red at senescence. Long panicles of flowers are produced; the flowers are about 2.5 cm wide. The fruits are attached to a thick stalk. They are large and hard, measuring 10-15 cm wide and 15-20 cm long, dark brown in color with a rough surface. At the tip of the fruit are lid-like structures, which on ripening falls off and the seeds fall through this opening. Each fruit may contain 10-15 nuts which are closely packed. Each nut is 3.7-6.2 cm long, triangular in cross section. The coat is tough, rough and brown in color. The edible part of the nut is the ceramic white kernel inside each nut. Brazil nut is not a commercial crop neither is it seen around much in Malaysia. It was first planted in the early 1900. At present these specimens are found in Serdang Crop Production Centre. They come to production 8-10 years after planting. They are personality sterile; therefore groups of plants have to be planted together as single tree does not produce fruits. The fruits take over a year to ripen. |
BREADFRUIT, SUKUN The breadfruit is a native of Polynesia where it is an important staple food. It was the center of some romantic history (Mutiny on the Bounty, 1787) in the 18th century. Introduced into most tropical countries, it has not attained much importance except in the West India. Like Nangka and Cempedak, the breadfruit is formed from whole inflorescence. It is more or less round. Two forms of fruit’s seedless and seeded- are to be found. They are used more as a vegetable than as a fruit. The seedless varieties may be sliced, boiled or baked whole, or ground up and make into biscuits, and after cooking have a chestnut flavor. |
BUDDHAS FINGERS, LIMAU SARI This is a variety of the true citron (citrus medical) of the Western world. It is a bushy plant growing to a height of 5 meters. In Malaysia, it is found mainly in the highlands. The plant is thorny with wingless leaves, a distinguishing character of this species. The fruits are variable in size, about 10-17.5 cm long and 5-7.5 cm wide. They are green when young but turn yellow on ripening. One end of the fruit is divided into about 5 parts, each resembling a finger, hence the name Buddhas finger and used for religious purpose. It is also known for its medicinal value and also serves as an ornamental for fruit arrangement. |
BUTTERFRUIT, BUAH MENTAGA This plant belongs to family which is well known for its wood i.e. ebony which is mainly used for art and not for construction of buildings. This species, native of the Philippines, can grow to a big tree of 20 meters or more but locally usually small trees are produced. Its habit is a small spreading tree with drooping branches. The leaves are smooth but covered with soft fine hairs. They are fairly large 7.5-22.5 cm long by 2.5-7.5 cm wide. The leaves are dark green on the top surface but the bottom is copper color because of the hair which turns pale dull color at maturity. Flowers are produced in small clusters; both male and female flowers are found. The flower is creamy in color, and slightly scented. Rounded fruits of 5-7.5 cm in diameter are produced. The color varies from pink to reddish brown. It is covered with short silky hairs with 4 persistent sepals still attached. As a fruit, it may not be very popular; its flesh is whitish, sweet and quite tasty. It is normally planted from seeds. |
CARAMBOLA, STARFRUIT, BLIMBING MANIS This is a popular fruit tree of the orient. It grows up to 10 meters high with many branches. The leaves are compound in nature. Flowers are produced in panicle on the twigs by the leaves all the year round. The tiny lilac flowers are beautiful. The fruits are deeply ridged; a cross section is star-shaped hence the common name starfruit. The length of the fruit varies from 5 to 17-.5 cm. The surface is smooth, shiny, and waxy. Immature fruits are green, turning yellow or orange at maturity. The yellow flesh is usually soft and juicy and tastes from sour to very sweet. Seeds are flat and often embedded in the centre. The fruit can be put to various used; the sweet varieties are for dessert, the sour ones for jelly, jam and juice. They are rich in vitamin c. Lately starfruits are produced more abundantly in tin tailings. These areas with well drained soil and added high organic fertilizers are very suitable for their growth. In Malaysia they are quite common in kampong gardens and backyards. They are readily propagated by seeds but will not be true to type; therefore budding is usually carried out to maintain quality. No known horticultural varieties have been named but those grown around Sungai Besi and Serdang in the State of Selangor are famous for their quality. There are distinct differences in their quality, flavor and color. |
CASHEW NUT, GAJUS This is one of the most popular nuts of tropical origin. In Malaysia, it is grown in sandy soils mainly in the East Coast. Cashew nut is a small spreading tree reaching to a height of up to 13 meters. The main stem is stout and short. The young leaves are edible. The cashew nut flowers, measuring about 1.2 cm across, appear normally after a spell of dry weather, with several flowering periods per year. The flowers are produced in bunches as a panicle, producing a scent. It takes about 4 years for tree grown from seed to bear fruit. The fleshy fruits are made up of 2 parts, about 7.5-10 cm long at the tip of which is a hard curved nut of commercial value. The nut must be heated (boiling or roasting) to destroy a poison which is an irritant: Plants can be propagated by seeds or by budding. |
CASTARD APPLE, NONA This is the least popular or well known of the Annonas in Malaysia. It came from the West India and South America. The tree is slightly taller than that of Seri Kaya and grows to a height of 7-8 meters. It sometimes shed its leaves, behaving as semi-deciduous. Flowers are often produced in clusters. The mature fruit is heart shaped, sometimes oval or conical. It is slightly larger than the Seri Kaya, weighing from 0.1-1.2 kg. It takes a long time to mature. The surface of the fruit is smooth with hexagonal lines and reddish brown in colour. The flesh, like the other Annonas, is pulpy and contains numerous brown seeds. The fruit does not taste as good as the other, lacking flavour, thus not as popular. |
CASTARD APPLE, NONA KAPRI, NONA This is the least popular or well known of the Annonas in Malaysia. It came from the West India and South America. The tree is slightly taller than that of Seri Kaya and grows to a height of 7-8 meters. It sometimes shed its leaves, behaving as semi-deciduous. Flowers are often produced in clusters. The mature fruit is heart shaped, sometimes oval or conical. It is slightly larger than the Seri Kaya, weighing from 0.1-1.2 kg. It takes a long time to mature. The surface of the fruit is smooth with hexagonal lines and reddish brown in colour. The flesh, like the other Annonas, is pulpy and contains numerous brown seeds. The fruit does not taste as good as the other, lacking flavour, thus not as popular. |
CEMPEDAK Cempedak is a native to this part of the world. Indeed wild Cempedak is found scattered in the high forest thoughout the mainland from the lowlands. Cempedak like nangka a collective or compound fruit. It is borne on the trunk or main branches and attains a dimension of 20-50 cm by 10-15 cm. The rind is golden yellow to light brown, covered with numerous fleshy spines. The flesh is golden yellow to light brown, with a rather slimy, custard-like texture. It is eaten raw or deep fried together with the seed. Its flavour is very strong, reminiscent of Durian and Bacang. Its food value is similar to Nangka. |
CHINA CHESTNUT It is a small tree belonging to the same family as cocoa. The tree is always green and leafy growing to about 10 meters tall. The main stem is short but with many branches. The leave is large, 12.5-22.5 cm long and 7.5-12.5 cm wide. Both male and female flowers are reproduced on the same tree. They are pinkish, measuring about 1.2 cm across, and arranged in the form of a panicle at the end of branches. The fruits are in the form of pods, green when unripe, turning to dark red on ripening. They are covered with fine soft hairs, roughly oblong in shape measuring about 7.5-10 cm long and 5 cm wide. The fruit wall is quite thick and the inner wall is pinkish in color. On splitting, the seeds are visible and they are arranged alternately on the sides of the fruit. Each seed is 2.5-5 cm long and 1.2-2.5 cm wide. The black seeds are shiny and sticky. This tree is not common in Malaysia except in the state of Perak. The edible seeds can be boiled or roasted. They have a pleasant smell and taste and are consumed mainly by the Chinese. |
COCONUT, KELAPA, NYIUR Coconut palms are tree of the tropical coastlands. It is believed that the coconut tree originated in the tropical coasts, possibly those of Malaysia. Two main types according to stature dwarfs and tall ( 30 meters or more ). Mature around 5 or 6 year ( best 30th year). The main commercial product of coconut is its copra, the dried flesh of the nut. Most of the copra is processed for oil locally and is used in the making of cooking oil, margarine, soap, candles etc. As food, the nuts are used fresh in cooking or dessicated for confectionery and cakes. Santan, the coconut milk. Coconut also popular as a source of refreshing drink. A brown sugar known as Gula Melaka or Gula Kelapa is made from the sap or juice of the immature inflorescence is also tapped to produce a palm wine called toddy. |
DURIAN Durian is one of the best known and most controversial of all fruits. It is native to Malaysia and has been cultivated in Tropical Asia for hundreds of years. The Durian plant is a large and lofty tree some 40 meters tall. The tree may be recognized by the typically bronzy-green, small foliage, and the all straight trunk topped by almost horizontal branches. Durian fruiting season, the characteristic olive-green prickly fruit is diagnostic. Durian fruits vary greatly in size and shape, commonly about 20 cm long by 17.5 cm wide, but may be as large as 35 cm in length. They hang down from the almost horizontal branches on the thick stalks, and are covered with coarse, sharp-pointed spines. The 4-5 segments of the fruits are each filled with 1-7 seeds usually 5-6 cm long by about 1.5 cm wide. Each seed is embedded in a mass of cream or yellow-colored pulp of a custard-like consistency. It is this pulp which is eaten. It varies a little in its size and color and much in its flavor. In Peninsular Malaysia, the best durian is held to have creamy, dark yellow, pulp (durian tembaga). In Sarawak, the best kinds have a bright orange pulp. The durian fruits have an extremely high food value. Although the best fruits are eaten raw they may be eaten with glutinous rice, made into durian cake or preserved with sugar (lempok) or salt and prawn paste (tempoyak). The unripe fruit is also cooked as vegetable. Durian trees are generally raised from seeds and budding. The tree will bear fruit about 7 years old. It takes about 3 month for the fruit to ripen. Two main seasons are between. November to February and from June to August. |
FIG, ARA There are over eighty species of figs in Malaysia but most are not edible. The palatability varies enormously, the best being the Mediterranean fig Ficus carica. Ficus roxburghii is one of the edible one found locally. It is a relatively short tree or shrub when planted in pots. In the garden it grown to a height of about 7 meters, with a short trunk and spreading branches. Fruits of this species are edible though not very popular, they can be eaten fresh or made into jam. The figs are produced mainly on the trunk but also on the main branches. They are pear shaped Measuring about 5-10 cm long by 5-7.5 cm wide, greenish to brownish in color with rough textured skin. This species should be planted more in the home garden as shade tree. It grows well in deeply cultivated soil and can be easily propagated by marcots. |
GNEMON TREE, MENINJAU Botanically, Meninjau is considered a very primitive plant, probably introduced from Java where it is common. In Peninsular Malaysia it is common. In Peninsular Malaysia it is mainly found in the East Coast. It grows into a tall tree 17-20 meters in height with a nice conical shape canopy. The leaves are 7.5-12.5 cm long by 2.5-7.5 cm wide. They are dark green and shiny above and pale below. Being a primitive plant more like the pines, male and female cones are produced. These cones are 7.5-12.5 cm long. The female cones do not produce true fruits; the fruits are actually seeds in the botanical sense. Each seed is oblong in shape, smooth in texture, and measuring 2.5-5 cm long and 2 cm wide. It is green when young but turns orange red on ripening. The edible part of the seed i.e. skin or rind is bulky. The seeds can be are eaten raw or made into biscuits, cakes and savouries. |
GREAT HOG PLUM, KEDONDONG Kedondong belongs to the same family as the mangoes. It is introduced from the Pacific Island. It is fairly common but grown mainly as individual tree in the rural areas. It grows mainly to a height of 10-20 meters, and fruits all the year round. The flowers are tiny and greenish white in colour, grouped together as a panicle. The fruits are bright green, on ripening turning yellowish with a lot of grayish brown freckles. Each fruits is about 7.5-10 cm long by 2.5-3.7 cm wide. It is eaten as and a fresh fruit or pickled. The flesh is white and crunchy when immature, becomes fibrous on ripening. Inside each fruit is a propagated from seeds. |
GUAVA, JAMBU BATU Guava is indigenous to tropical America but has been naturalized in many countries including Malaysia. The tree grows to about 8 meters high, with characteristic smooth, pale mottled bark that peels off in thin flakes. The fruits are very variable in size, shape and flavour but all have strong sweet smell. Those of good varieties are sweet while others may be tart. In Malaysia, ripe juicy sweet types are eaten fresh, particularly the recently in-troduced seedless variety, or made into juice. Two common forms are yellow or pink-fleshed. Guava fruit is a rich source of vitamin C It has estimated to contain 2-5 times the vitamin C content of fresh orange juice. |
INDIA JUJUBE, BEDARA Bedara belongs to a rather uncommon family of thorny plants in Malaysia. It is probably introduced from India. It is a small thorny tree growing up to a height of 10 meters. The thorns arise from the leaf bases. The scented, greenish flowers appear in clusters at the base of the leaf stalks. Fruits are roundish to oblong in shape, each measuring from 1.8-5 cm long and about 2.5 cm wide. They are green and firm when young, at maturity turning yellow orange to brown. They are eaten raw or as preserved fruits. The flesh is whitish, tastes sourish to sweet. It is like a plum with a stony seed embedded in the flesh. This fruit is quite common in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia, growing well in sandy soils. It is propagated from seeds. |
INDIA MANGO, MANGGA The India Mango is the typical mango fruit. It was know to the people of India. The fruit are slightly beaked at one side. They vary enormously in size and shape. The colour of the skin when ripe is as variable- green, yellow or orange. Similarly the flowers may be greenish yellow, white, pale cream or even pinkish. The ripe mango fruit is eaten as dessert. The flesh is bright yellow, and is good varieties very juicy and sweet, and at times aromatic. Unripe fruit is also eaten raw and may be quite sour. The fruit is rich in vitamins A and C and has been demonstrated to have better food value than the apple. Many varieties of India Mango are found in Malaysia. The good exotic varieties include the Apple Mango, Mulgoa, Harumanis, Thai Mango, India Papaya Mango, Philippines Mango, Taiwan Mini Apple Mango, and Indian Coconut Mango. The local varieties are generally regarded as inferior in flavor. Most existing trees in this country are grown from seedlings but vegetative methods (especially grafting) are now widely practiced particularly on the imported varieties. The trees usually flower and fruit after the fourth year. Some grafts, however may begin to bear a few flowering shoots in the second year after planting. Flowering is usually not regular. The quality of the fruit is also dependent on the prevailing climate. It does best when there is a definite dry spell and little rain at flowering and fruiting time. |
JACK FRUIT Jackfruit is probably native to India. As it is usually grown from seed there is considerable variation between trees, particularly in the shape, size and quality of the fruits. The tree grows up to 20 meters tall. It is quick-growing and may bear fruit when about 3 years old. The fruit is a gigantic syncarp a compound fruit measuring 30-90 cm by 25-50 cm, and is the largest of all cultivated fruits. It is barrel or pear-shaped. The rind is pale to dark yellow and is completely covered with short sharp hexagonal fleshy spines. The flesh is golden yellow and waxy while the seeds are large (3x2 cm) with thick gelatinous brown covering. In between the seeds are soft fleshy fibers which are the unfertilized flowers. Ripe Jackfruit has a strong, rather Durian-like smell. It forms an important source of food-the edible flesh contains 23.4% carbohydrates while the seed has 38.4%. There is also a fair amount of protein in the seed (6.6%). The seed is eaten when cooked. There are very few varieties of Jackfruit in Malaysia. These may be grouped into two kinds-those with soft flesh around the seeds and those with firm flesh. |
KERANDANG, KARAUNDA This is a small tree, 3-5 meters tall, belonging to the same family as Frangipani. It is a native of India but is cultivated locally mainly in villages for fruits and in some gardens as ornamental. It is a beautiful tree when it is full bearing but it is rather thorny and prickly, and produces latex. This small tree produces small whitish flowers measuring 3.5 cm across. The fruits are pinkish white, very sour and therefore used mainly as pickles but can also be made into jam or cooked. |
KUINI Kuini is a native Malaysian fruit. It grows to about 20-27 meters in height. Unlike Bacang (Mangifera foetida), Kuini fruits are described by most authors as having a fragrant smell or a strong smell, but not unpleasantly so, some evern describe it as reminiscent of durians. The oblong fruits, up to 12.5 by 10 cm, are very similar to the Bacang except that they usually do not have an obvious point to one side and the flesh has a light orange color and is juicy sweet. Indeed Kuini has been regarded by some as a variety of Bacang. Unlike Bacang, Kuini flowers are strongly fragrant- the pink flowers are borne on yellowish or reddish brown panicles. The trees flower throughout the year. Like Bacang, immature Kuini fruits contain a poisonous sap. The fruits are also used in curries, for making chutney and for pickles. |
KUMQUAT, LIMAU PAGAR Limau Pagar belongs to a group of citrus called the Kumquat. It is also known as Citrus swinglei, but is now put into a separate genus Fortunella. Kumquat grows well in many tropical and subtropical areas. In Malaysia it is more abundant in Perak and Malacca. The fruits because of their beautiful bright rich yellow color are often grown for ornamental purpose in addition to serving as a drink and preserved fruits. Grown in a pot, the plant grows to about 1 meter but in the ground, it grows to 3-5 meters tall. Kumquats are slightly different from the citrus group, they are thorny but the leaves are long and narrow and do not possess the aromatic smell when crushed. The whitish flowers are scented, and they appear in a cluster of 1-5. The fruits are in the shape of marbles of about 2.5 cm in diameter. The texture of the skin is smooth, soft and shiny. It is green but turning yellow on ripening. Kumquat does well in this country but not widely grow. Its cultivations should be encouraged for its varied use. It can be grown from seeds or marcotting. Potted plants are also on sale in the nurseries. |
LANGSAT AND DUKU Both Langsat and Duku are native to this part of the world, but have been in cultivation for a very long time. Although their fruits can be readily distinguished, they are regarded as belonging to the same species, namely Lansium domesticum. Ripe Langsat fruits have thin skin with milky juice and are oval in shape. Ripe Duku fruits have tick skin without milky juice and are round in shape. The flesh in both Langsat and Duku is usually white in colour, pink-fleshed forms also occur in Duku . Both juicy But the flavour, always refreshing, varies from sweet to sour. |
LEMON, LIMAU Lemon is found originally is Asia and introduced to other parts of the world. It grows to 3-4 meters tall. It is not as common as Limau Nipis or Kesturi , but occurs in different parts of the country. The fruits are green turning to yellow on ripening. They are longish, about 7.5-12.5 cm by 5-7.5cm, and may be pointed or blunt at the tip. Lemon fruit juice is refreshing and nutritious. The plant can be easily propagated by marcotting or from seeds. |
LIMAU PURUT Limau Purut has outstanding characters which differ from the general group of oranges and lemons. It is small tree 3-5 meters tall. The fruit is pear-shaped, about 10 cm by 5-7.5cm, dark green turning yellow on ripening, and very wrinkled and rough. The fruit is not eaten as a fresh dessert fruit as juice is lacking. It is mainly used as a flavouring in food. It may also be used as a hair shampoo. The leave, about 7.5-10 cm long, are used as a spice in curries. Limau Purut can be planted in big pot as an ornamental. It is propagated from seeds or marcots. |
MALAY APPLE, JAMBU MERAH Malay Apple is a native of Malaysia. The tree grows up to 20 meter high. It is often planted as an ornamental or windbreak. It has very striking flowers which are vivid crimson-pink and measure 5-7.5 cm in diameter. The fruits are oblong or pyriform, about 5-7.5 cm by 6.2 cm when ripe and are reddish pink or white striped crimson-pink. The flesh is rather dry but quite pleasant to eat. |
MALAY GOOSEBERRY, CERMAI The Malay Gooseberry is rarely found in the market expect in odd kampongs. It is grown in limited areas, mainly in the northern states. The trees resembles that of Blimbing Asam. It flowers all the year round. The roundish fruits, of pale yellow green colour, are very attractive. The surface is smooth but slightly ridged, while the base and apex are flattened. The fruit when ripe is yellowish white in colour. There is a small angular hard seed at the centre of the fruit. The fruits is eaten fresh but is best used as a pickle as it is very sour. |
MANGOSTEEN Mangosteen is indigenous to this part of the world. Although it is believed to have been in cultivation for centuries there are no distinct varieties. It is one of the slowest-growing trees and attains about 6-13 meters tall. It takes from seed about 15 years to fruit. Unlike most other fruits, the cultivated mangos teen reproduces by parthenogenesis, the fruit is produced without fertilization. The fruits are round but slightly flattened at each end. Each fruit has a smooth, thick, firm rind which is pale green at first and ripening to rich purple or red-purple in color. The apex is crowned with 5-8 flat woody lobes. A good mangos teen measures some 6-71/2 cm in diameter. Enclosed in the rind are 5-8 fleshy segments which are snowy-white or ivory in color. The number of segments corresponds to the number of woody lobes at the apex of the rind. The flavor of the flesh or pulp is slightly acid and delicious. Mangos teen trees are very commonly grown throughout Malaysia. The fruiting seasons generally follow those of the durian and rambutan. |
MATA KUCING The name Mata Kucing literally translated means Cat Dragons Eye (from Longan, a name given to the related Chinese fruit not found in this country). Mata kucing is also native to this part of the world and wild trees are found in the forests. The tree has an attractive shape and may attain a height of 20 meters. The fruits are round, up to 2 cm in diameter. The pale brownish skin is rough and tough. The flesh is translucent, whitish and sweet. The amount of flesh varies a great deal; in very good variety it may be 0.5 cm thick. Unlike Rambutan and Pulasan, the seeds are extremely large in relation to the amount of flesh. |
MORINDA, MENGKUDU BESAR Morinda is famous for its dyes in the roots. In India, it is grows as a crop for the dyeing industry; and in Indonesia it is used as a dye in the Batik industry. Morinda is a small tree or shrub originated from Moluccas. It can grow to a height of 7 meter. It fruits all the year round. The fruits are ellipsoidal in shape, pale yellowish green in color and shiny. Although attractive, they do not taste good or appetizing, hence not popular. |
MUSK LIME, LIMAU KESTURI This is a common plant in the home garden, either as a potted plant or planted in the garden. It grows to about 3-4 meter tall. The fruits are very small compared to other citrus. It is roundish with a smooth, shiny, thin skin. The skin is often made rough and warty by insect damage. Immature fruits are green but turn yellow or orangy when ripe. Inside each fruit are 6-8 segments which often contain seeds. They are very juicy but sour, hence not eaten as dessert but rather as a refreshing fruit juice. They are also commonly pickled with salt, and can also be preserved with sugar as dried fruits. The plants fruits all the year round and can be easily propagated by marcotting as well as from seeds. |
NAM-NAM This tree belongs to the bean family. It is a small tree with a thick much branched stem. Each leaf is made up of 2 leaflets, which if not examined closely may appear as 2 leaves. The leaflet is asymmetrical in shape measuring 5-15 cm long and 2.5-7.5 cm wide. It is shiny smooth, dark green above and paler below. The flowers are rather small about 1.2 cm across. They appear on the stem in clusters. The fruits are kidney-shaped, 5-10 cm long and 5 cm wide. The pod does not split open readily, but a line is visible along the fruit and divides it into two. The texture of the fruit surface is rough and wrinkled, pale greenish/yellow and dull looking. The flesh is juicy and yellow in colour. It produces smell and tastes sourish. The seeds are large. Nam-nam is a native of Malaysia grown mainly in northern Peninsular Malaysia and can be more widely cultivated in other states, mainly in kampongs and villages. |
NIPPLE BRINJAL, TERONG SUSU This species is a semi-woody herb from Central Africa and South America. It grows into a small shrub with large leaves of serrated margin. Thorns or prickles are found on the leaves as well as the stem. The flowers are rather small and insignificant compared to the fruits which are brightly colored. Fruits are orange in color, smooth and conical in shape with rounded lobes at its base. They measure about 7.5 cm long and 5 cm across. They also keep well for over a week and when cut can be used for fruit or flower arrangement for indoor decorations. The plant is normally propagated by seeds. |
NUTMEG, BUAH PALA Nutmeg has its origin in Eastern Malaysia but had spread to India and Europe centuries ago. Although it is well known as spice and dried fruits, one does not see the fresh fruit in the market. The tree is usually small but has the capacity to grow up to about 23 meters. It has male and female plants but bisexual one also occur. The male tree is essential for proper fertilization. Fruits are found in female and hermaphrodite or bisexual trees. The fruits is heart-shaped, about 7-5 cm long and 5 cm wide. The fruits is green turning to yellow brown on ripening. When it is ripe it splits in two halves, inside of which is a large brown seed covered with the coral red mace. It is seldom eaten raw. Nutmeg has many uses-medicinal, spice, sweets, oickles and oil. It is not found in home garden and is grown mainly in Penang on a small scale. |
ORNAMENTAL CHILLI, CABAI In addition to the cooking varieties of chili or cabai, there are many varieties of chilies not normally eaten but used as ornamentals. Ornamental chilies come in various shapes, sizes and color. They may be cone, marble, oblong, oval or hearts shaped, bright red, purple creamy, yellow, white or green in color. They are propagated by seeds, and produce fruit all year round. |
PALMYRA PALM, SEA APPLE, LONTAR Lontar belongs to the same family as the coconut. This species is of Asia origin and well known for its varied uses in that every part of the palm is useful. In Malaysia, it is found mainly in the northern part. It is not a very tall palm growing to 10-13 meters tall. Is has a beautiful crown of large palmate leave. The fruits are borne in bunches like the coconuts but they are much smaller and rounded; each measures about 10-12.5 cm in diameter and is slightly flattened at both ends. They are colourful, with dark purple skin and a set of green bracts at the base. Unlike the coconut, each fruits has 3 seeds; the fleshy part of each seed resembles the meat of the coconut and there is present also small quantity of water. Both the flesh and water are edible and eaten fresh or made into an ice drink. |
PAPAYA Papaya is a sappy, soft-tissue, quick-growing but short-lived plant. It grows to 2-10 meters in height. It is believed to be a native of tropical America, where it is called pawpaw as well as melon zapote. Today, it is grown in tropical countries situated between latitudes 32 All parts of the plant produce a milky juice (or latex), which contains the enzymes papain and chymopapain, both of which have protein-digesting and milk-clotting properties. The plants are usually dioeciously (only male or female flowers are present). Male and female plants are identical in appearance until flowers appear. They come into bearing at about 6-12 months. The fruits vary greatly in size, shape and flavor. They may measure 7-60 cm long and weighing up to 9 kg. They are usually eaten when ripe as dessert. The flesh is very rich in vitamin A and calcium and has also some vitamin c. Many varieties of papaya are grown in Malaysia. Among the better known ones, the yellow-fleshed type includes Serdang, Honey Dew, and Morib, while the red-fleshed kind includes Batu Arang, Subang 6 and Taiping 3. |
PASSION FRUIT, BUAH SUSU The passion fruits are of tropical origin from South America. They are named after the Passion flower. There are a few species; this particular one is distinguished by the greenish yellow fruits and belongs to the same species as the purple-fruit variety found in the highlands. The plants are climbers with the aid of tendrils, and coil round supports such as fences or pergola. The flowers are typical of the passion flower with prominent outgrowth from the petals (corona). The fruits are egg shaped about 5-10 cm long and 7.5 cm across. They are green when immature, turning yellow on ripening. The skin is smoothing shiny and fairly hard. The rind is about 1/8 inch thick; inside are numerous black seeds covered with orange yellow pulp. The fruits can be eaten fresh or made into juice, ice cream or cake. In the home garden passion fruit can be grown along fence. The plants are propagated from cutting or seeds. |
PHENG PHOK It is a small tree belonging to the same family as cocoa. The tree is always green and leafy growing to about 10 meters tall. The main stem is short but with many branches. The leave is large, 12.5-22.5 cm long and 7.5-12.5 cm wide. Both male and female flowers are reproduced on the same tree. They are pinkish, measuring about 1.2 cm across, and arranged in the form of a panicle at the end of branches. The fruits are in the form of pods, green when unripe, turning to dark red on ripening. They are covered with fine soft hairs, roughly oblong in shape measuring about 7.5-10 cm long and 5 cm wide. The fruit wall is quite thick and the inner wall is pinkish in color. On splitting, the seeds are visible and they are arranged alternately on the sides of the fruit. Each seed is 2.5-5 cm long and 1.2-2.5 cm wide. The black seeds are shiny and sticky. This tree is not common in Malaysia except in the state of Perak. The edible seeds can be boiled or roasted. They have a pleasant smell and taste and are consumed mainly by the Chinese. CHINA CHESTNUT It is a small tree belonging to the same family as cocoa. The tree is always green and leafy growing to about 10 meters tall. The main stem is short but with many branches. The leave is large, 12.5-22.5 cm long and 7.5-12.5 cm wide. Both male and female flowers are reproduced on the same tree. They are pinkish, measuring about 1.2 cm across, and arranged in the form of a panicle at the end of branches. The fruits are in the form of pods, green when unripe, turning to dark red on ripening. They are covered with fine soft hairs, roughly oblong in shape measuring about 7.5-10 cm long and 5 cm wide. The fruit wall is quite thick and the inner wall is pinkish in color. On splitting, the seeds are visible and they are arranged alternately on the sides of the fruit. Each seed is 2.5-5 cm long and 1.2-2.5 cm wide. The black seeds are shiny and sticky. This tree is not common in Malaysia except in the state of Perak. The edible seeds can be boiled or roasted. They have a pleasant smell and taste and are consumed mainly by the Chinese. |
PINEAPPLE, NANAS The native home of pineapple is eastern South America. The Malaysian name nanas and the scientific name Ananas as well as other names are derived from the Tupi India name Nana. There are many cultivated varieties of pineapple. The most important commercial varieties in Malaysia fall into two group those for canning ( Nanas Merah and Nanas Hijau) and those for eating raw ( Nanas Sarawak and Nanas Moris). Nanas Sarawak medium-sized with pale yellow flesh and thick central woody core. Those of Nanas Moris are small, with fairly bright yellow flesh and thin central woody core. They are usually very sweet and perhaps the best for dessert. The fruits also forms one of the main ingredients of a local salad preparation called rojak. It also makes excellent jam. |
POMEGRANATE, DELIMA The pomegranate originated from Persia. It does not grow very well in this country. It is a weak shrub with sparse foliage growing to a height of 3-4 meters. It can also be planted in pots, as some people are satisfied just to have only the flowers which are fairly large and attractive, bright orange in color. The fruits are found at the end of twigs or branches which usually droop as the fruits are heavy and the branches weak. Each fruit may, under local conditions, grow to 10-12.5 cm diameter. It has smooth shiny skin, greenish with a tinge of red when young but turning brownish yellow or reddish when ripe. The tip of the fruit is crowned with the remains of the sepals. Each fruit is divided into about half a dozen compartment. Each compartment contains many small seeds surrounded by skinny pinkish red flesh which is full of juice. The seeds are packed tightly together. It is difficult to eat this fruit as each seed has to be taken out slowly and there is not much to eat. Although this species has been introduced for a long time, it is not very widely grown. |
POMELO, LIMAU BETAWI Pomelo is the biggest of all citrus fruits; each fruit weighing from 0.5-1.4 kg. It is cultivated all over Malaysia and fruits all the year round. Pomelo trees are evergreen and grow to a height of 10 meters. The fruit is round with flattened tip. Its size varies from 12.5 to 25 cm across. The rough outer skin is light green to yellowish in colour while the inner skin is white to pinkish and spongy. The thickness of the skin varies from 0.6 to 2.5 cm. The edible part of the fruit is made up of 10-15 segments. It is juicy but may be sweet or sour. Two main forms with pale cream or pinkish colour are found. The seeds are about 1.2 cm long. Pomelo is a popular fruit, appearing specially at Chinese festive seasons. It can be propagated by seeds, marcotting or grafting. The Tambun fruits from Perak are famous throughout Malaysia. |
PULASAN Pulasan, like Rambutan, is indigenous to this part of the world and has been cultivated for many years. Wild tress still exists in the lowland forest. The tree is similar to Rambutan. The fruits are not very different from Rambutan. They are oblong, measuring 5-6.2 cm by 3-7 cm. The skin is dark red when ripe and is covered with short, thick and fleshy spines. The flesh is translucent, usually whitish and tasted quite sweet. Several races are grown and these differ in quality of fruit. The fruiting season of Pulasan is similar to the Rambutan. |
RAMBAI Rambai is native to Malaysia and Sumatra and is commonly grown in Malaysian village gardens. The tree is densely leafy and heavy looking, reaching up to some 20 meter tall. The fruits hang in communal strings (racemes) from the twigs, main branches and to a lesser extent, from the upper part of the trunk. Each fruit measure about 2-4 cm, usually slightly longer than wide. It is buff-colored and has a smooth and thin skin. Within each fruit occur a variable number of seeds enclosed in a translucent white pulp. The seeds are comparatively large and the pulp varies considerably in its quality, from rather acid to sweet and palatable. Rambai season generally follows that of the durians around August-September. |
RAMBUTAN The name Rambutan is derived from the Malay word rambut (meaning hair). Similarly its scientific name lappaceum in Latin refers to the resemblance of the fruit to a burr. The Rambutan fruit is large, oblong or nearly round, and measures up to 5-6 cm long by 5 cm wide. It is green at the beginning but ripen to various shades of red and yellow. Each fruit has a large seed surround with a white or yellowish pulp (flesh) of varying thickness. The flesh is translucent, firm and juicy but its flavor and quality vary enormously. In a good variety, it is sweet with an extremely pleasant, mild, sub acid flavor. In the best varieties the flesh comes away easily from the seed- this is referred to as Rambutan lekang. Rambutan is indigenous to Malaysia and has been grown in South-east Asia for a long time. It is a bushy and wide-crowned tree, growing up to 20 meters in height. Under suitable conditions the seedling tree fruits at 5 to 6 years. Vegetative-propagated trees (budding and marcotting) may start bearing when 1 to 2 years old. Trees usually fruit twice a year. The main season is between June and September. |
ROSE APPLE, JAMBU MAWAR Rose Apple is native to the Indo-Malaysian region and has been cultivated for centuries. The tree grows up to 10 meters height. The fruits are ovoid shaped, about 4 cm in diameter. When ripe they may be greenish or whitish tinged yellow or pink. The flesh is whitish and rose-scented. It may be eaten fresh or made into preserves. Fruits of poor quality may be dry and tasteless. |
SAPODILLA, CIKU The Ciku is a small evergreen fruit tree, native to Southern Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. The trees are propagated by marcotting and inarching, in addition to growing from seeds. They begin to fruit about 3-4 years after planting. Fruits are produced at frequent intervals throughout the year. They take about 4 months to mature from flowering. They are round or oval in shape, measuring about 5-10 cm long and weighing about 113 g. mature fruits have a dull, rather mealy, and pale to rusty, brown, and thin skin. The flesh, when ripe, is soft and pulpy, granulated and yellowish to pinkish brown in color. Unripe fruits are unpleasantly astringent. Ripe fruits, however, are much appreciated by many people dessert fruit. The flesh has been likened to that of a pear. |
SOFT FIG, ARA LEMPONG This is a wild fig growing widely in Malaysia, occurring in virgin forest especially near water. It is a small tree growing to about 7 meters tall with an upright stem but without a large canopy like Ficus roxburghii. The fruits are borne on the stem and branches. They are pear shaped, about 5-7.5 cm wide, greenish brown in color when young but turning orangey brown on ripening. They are edible but not very palatable with a nutty flavor, and the flesh is gummy or sticky. They are attractive as ornamentals but of no economic value. Propagation is by seeds. |
SOURSOP, DURIAN BLANDA It is a small slender evergreen tree growing to a height of about 7 meters. It thrives best in the tropical lowlands with rich deep loam. Of the three Annonas, this is the easiest to grow (without much cultural requirement), and has prolific fruiting capacities. The soursop fruit is the largest among the Annonas, weighing around 1 kg or more. It is long, heart shaped, dark green in colour with short fleshy spines. The flesh or pulp is white, soft, juicy and fragrant. In between the pulp are embedded brown to blackish seeds. The fruit can be eaten as a dessert fruit. As it is rather fibrous, it is often made into a drink i.e. extract of juice from pulp. Soursop is a common local fruit with a good potential for the canning industry as a good flavour nutritious drink. It is quite easily grown from seed, marcotting and budding. Its quality can be improved by breeding and selection or by improved cultural methods, making it a profitable crop of commercial importance as well as a backyard plant in the home garden. |
STERCULIA, KELUMPANG This is a tall handsome tree from Africa, very useful as an avenue tree. It grows to 10-13 meters with a straight trunk and branches to form a small crown. Various parts of the plants are used, the stem for timber as softwood, seeds for oil and food, leaves for medicinal purposes. The fruits are green when young, measure about 7.5-10 cm and compressed into the shape of a purse. They turn bright red when ripe, but turning dark with age. The texture is smooth, soft and velvety. When the fruit is ripe, it splits open and the large black seeds can be seen attached alternately on each side. The seeds are edible but not popular or tasty as other species. When eaten in quantities, they have a purgative action and cause headaches. The bright red fruits and trees are therefore mainly used as ornamentals. |
STRAWBERRY The strawberry, the most popular and common of the berries in temperate countries, is quite an easy small plant to grow. It has a creeping habit, producing creeping stems or runners on the ground. It is slow growing, forming mounds up to 15-20 cm high. The flowers are white with gold colored centers from which berries are formed. The fruit is a compound one made up of tiny fruitless. It is green at first, turning to bright shiny red as it ripens. It is delightfully scented and is eaten fresh or made into jam. In the highlands, strawberries are useful for the home garden; they need little space and fruit continuously. New plants can be propagated from the mother plant by cutting off from the rooted runners. They grow well in well-drained soil. |
SWEET ORANGE, JAFFA ORANGE The sweet orange is the type normally imported from western countries in the temperate zones, hence it is grown and doing well in the Cameron Highlands where the temperature is more favorable then the lowlands. It differs from the other local sweet oranges in that the skin does not peel off easily like the mandarin or the local sweet orange. Another characteristic is the vertical streaks on the skin of the fruit. The sweet orange plant is a woody shrub which grows to a height of about 5 meters. The leaf measure about 10-12.5 cm by 2.5-3.75 cm. The top surface is dark green and the bottom paler green. There is no distinct wing on the petiole. It is oblong in shape, tapering at both ends but the tip is not pointed while the margins are slightly indented. The fruit is round, measuring about 10 cm in diameter. It is green when young, turning to yellowish green and finally orange in color. The skin is fairly rough but quite thin, about 25-30 mm, enclosing about 12 segments which are seeded. The flesh varies from yellow to orange in color. It is very juicy and sweet and not fibrous. The cultivation of this species should be encouraged, as it is doing very well in the highlands. It can be easily propagated from seeds or by marcotting |
SWEET ORANGE, LIMAU MANIS Orange here, in general, do not grow as well as those of the temperate zones. They are very variable in quality. Limau Manis is greenish to yellow in colour, and does not resemble the true oranges. It is not commonly grown except in some localized areas like Perak. The fruits are rounded in shape, growing to 5-10 cm in diameter. The skin is shiny and green or greenish yellow, and it can be peeled off easily. Each fruit has 10-15 segments. The flesh is yellow to orangy, very juicy, and tastes sourish to sweet. Each segment may contain one or several seeds. This variety of oranges is of limited use, mainly as a dessert fruit. It fruit all the year round and can be propagated easily by marcotting or sometimes from seeds. |
TAMPOI A large number of Tampoi trees from the Malaysian forest produce good edible fruits. In Sabah, Tampoi Putih (Baccaurea macrocarpa) and Tampoi Kuning (B.puberula) are good or even better to eat than the Rambai. The two common jungle species in Peninsular Malaysia are Baccaurea griffithii (Greater Tampoi) and Baccaurea reticulate (Lesser Tampoi). Fruits of the Greater Tampoi are large, more or less round and measuring about 2.5-4.0 cm. The skin is dull brownish grey or brownish yellow in color and slightly rough with little brown spots. The pulp is white and translucent when ripe. The fruits of the Lesser Tampoi are grayish fawn or brownish buff or yellowish brown. Their pulp is translucent and pale yellow in color. Its taste is very sweet and pleasant. It is generally regarded as the better of the two species of Tampoi in Peninsular Malaysia. |
TREE TOMATO The tree tomato is a food crop, native to the highland of South America, but now spreading to Sri Lanka, India and the East. At high elevations it grows to around 3 meters high. It is a shrub or a small tree with a spreading crown and short trunk. The leaves are fairly large, 15-20 cm long by 12.5 cm wide, and are chordate in shape with a pointed tip. The flowers, appearing in group of 3-4 or in cluster, are pinkish in color and measure about 2.5 cm across. They produce a nice scent. The fruits are oblong in shape and measure 5 cm long. The color is pale green, turning yellow to bright red on ripening. The egg-shaped, smooth fruits are produced throughout the year. They are eaten raw, being succulent and slightly acidic, cooked for food as a stew, or made into jam. Tree tomato grows best in well irrigated loamy soil. Plant is commonly propagated by means of seeds which germinate readily. This plant is useful as a garden plant to substitute for tomatoes. |
WATER APPLE, JAMBU AIR Water Apple is a native of India and has been in cultivation for many centuries. The tree grows to 5-8 meters high. Flowers are slightly scented, about 2-5 cm wide, white or occasionally pinkish. The fruits have an uneven shape, with a wide apex and narrow base. They may be white to bright pink in color. The pulp is crisp and watery, with a scented flavor, hence the name watery rose-apple. The flesh may also be insipid. The skin contains a high content of vitamin A. In Malaysia the fruits are eaten mainly by children although they are good thirst quenchers. |
WATER MELON, TEMBIKAI The water melon is a native of tropical and subtropical Africa but has been cultivated since ancient times. Unlike other fruits, water-melon plants have weak, creeping stems and climb by tendrils, and the fruit ripen on the ground. The fruits vary greatly in size and shape; color, texture, flavor and sugar content of flesh; and color, size and number of seeds. Many varieties are available in Malaysia. The plants are grown from seeds. The fruits are ready for harvesting about 100 days or more after sowing. The water-melon fruit is usually eaten raw as a favorite thirst quencher. In addition to the flesh, dried parched seeds called kuaci are also consumed. |
WILD WATERMELON, TIMUN DENDANG As the botanical name suggests it belong to the passion fruit family. This species of Passiflora originated from Tropical America. Now it grows in parts of the Asian countries as if native. The wild watermelon is a small herbaceous climber, possessing a slender hairy green stem with tendrils. The flowers arise singly but it is quite unique, looking like the passion-fruit flower; the main distinguishing character is the presence of pale green moss-like leaves outside the sepals and they persist even when the fruit is ripe. The fruit is rather small and round, green turning to orange when ripe. It is edible and popular among children in the rural areas as it is found growing in wasteland, by the roadsides and scrambling over grass and bushes. In suburban areas it may be found climbing over fence and hedges. |
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