Durian
Overview
The durian is the fruit
of several tree
species
belonging to the genus
Durio and the Malvaceae
family
(although some taxonomists place Durio in a distinct family, Durionaceae). Widely known and revered in southeast Asia
as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour
, and formidable thorn-covered husk
. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimetres (11.8 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb).
Fruit
In broad terms, a fruit is a structure of a plant that contains its seeds.The term has different meanings dependent on context. In non-technical usage, such as food preparation, fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state,...
of several tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
belonging to the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Durio and the Malvaceae
Malvaceae
Malvaceae, or the mallow family, is a family of flowering plants containing over 200 genera with close to 2,300 species. Judd & al. Well known members of this family include okra, jute and cacao...
family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
(although some taxonomists place Durio in a distinct family, Durionaceae). Widely known and revered in southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour
Odor
An odor or odour is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds, generally at a very low concentration, that humans or other animals perceive by the sense of olfaction. Odors are also commonly called scents, which can refer to both pleasant and unpleasant odors...
, and formidable thorn-covered husk
Husk
Husk in botany is the outer shell or coating of a seed. It often refers to the leafy outer covering of an ear of maize as it grows on the plant. Literally, a husk or hull includes the protective outer covering of a seed, fruit or vegetable...
. The fruit can grow as large as 30 centimetres (11.8 in) long and 15 centimetres (6 in) in diameter, and it typically weighs one to three kilograms (2 to 7 lb).
Unanswered Questions
Quotations
The durian — neither Wallace or Darwin agreed on it. Darwin said "may your worst enemies be forced to feed on it." Wallace cried "it's delicious." Darwin replied "I'm suspicious", For the flavour is scented Like papaya fermented After a fruit-eating bat has pee'd on it.
Horticulture, 1973 . Refers to Alfred Wallace, who cited an enthusiastic long list of durian recipes in his book.