Linn., Sapindaceae, is native to Malaysia and Indonesia. The pericarp of this attractive oval-shaped fruit can be red, orange, pink, or yellow in color and is removable by a twist of the hands. Rambutan is an evergreen tree about 10 to 12 m tall, has pinnately compound leaves without the presence of an end-leaflet. On the lower surface of each leaflet are the domatia, small crater-like hills located in the axils between the mid and secondary veins. Rambutan has perfect flowers, however, they are functionally pistillate or staminate.
Insect pollination is needed.
Fruits may be produced in large bunches, with 40 to 60 fruits per panicle, but most often only 12 to 13 per panicle are retained to maturity. Economic life of a tree is about 15 to 20 years and may be up to 30 years. Culture Rambutan trees prefer deep, loamy, well drained soil with a high organic content. Trees need to have well distributed rainfall and wind protection. Well grown rootstocks are bud grafted at 8 to 12 months.