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Also spelled:
lungan
Related Topics:
fruit
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longan fruits
longan fruits Longan fruits (Dimocarpus longan), native to tropical Asia.

longan

plant and fruit
Also known as: Dimocarpus longan, Euphoria longana, lungan
Written and fact-checked by
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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longan, (Dimocarpus longan), tropical fruit tree of the soapberry family (Sapindaceae), native to Asia and introduced into other warm regions of the world. The edible white-fleshed fruits are somewhat similar to the related lychee and are commonly sold fresh, dried, or canned in syrup. The juicy flesh has a mildly sweet and musky flavour.

The longan tree grows to 9–12 metres (30–40 feet) in height and bears compound leaves with oblong glossy leaflets. The flowers are small and yellowish white and can be staminate (male), pistillate (female), or bisexual. The almost spherical yellowish brown fruits are commonly borne in hanging clusters. The thin leathery skin covers white transluscent pulp that surrounds a single dark seed.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.