Back

Durio singaporensis Ridl.

Family Name:	Malvaceae
Synonyms:	Durio oblongus auct. non Mast.<2>
Common Name:	Singapore Durian, Durian Duan

Durio singaporensis is named after (you guessed it), Singapore! Commonly known as the Singapore Durian, its scientific name takes reference from the distribution of the species; within Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia. The Singapore Durian can grow up to 30 m tall producing thick leathery foliage with a golden-coppery underside. Unlike the Durian commonly eaten (Durio zibethinus), its fruit is densely covered in rambutan-like spines. The brown seeds also lack the yellow, pungent flavoured edible pulp that many enjoy.

Full Sun

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Ornamental Leaves

Tree

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Tree (Big (>30m))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Irregular
Maximum Height	30 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR))

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form	It is a tall tree that grow up to 30 m tall, small, thin buttresses may be present. It has pinkish red to red brown bark with horizontal ridges.
Foliage	Leaves are thick, leathery, oblong measuring from 13-30 cm x 4.8-5 cm, held on an angular petiole 1.5-2.5 cm long. The leaves are dark green, glossy, closely packed scales are found on the underside, giving a golden-coppery appearance. Lance-shaped stipules are found on the tip of the branches, up to 2 cm long, covered in scales on the outside.
Flowers	Flowers borne in a short inflorescence along the branches (cauliflorous) with up to 3 flowers per cluster. Flowers are large, white, 5-petalled, with large, loose scales on the outside, velvety on the inside.

Fruit	The fruit is a green, round capsule measuring to 11 cm wide, densely covered with slender and stiff rambutan-like spines. Upon maturity, the fruit splits to reveal bare brown seeds, not covered in aril (seed coating).
Habitat	It occurs in lowland forests up to 915 m altitude.
Associated Fauna	Its flowers are pollinated by bats.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology	Latin Durio, from the Malay name durian; Latin singaporensis, from Singapore, referring to the natural distribution of this species

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Fruits, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	General, Parks & Gardens
Thematic Landscaping	Golden Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna	Bat Food
Pollination Method(s)	Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate	Moderate

Rootzone Tolerance	Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils
Propagation Method	Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green, Yellow / Golden
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Leathery, Thick

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem	Alternate
Foliar Attachment to Stem	Petiolate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Oblong)
Foliar Venation	Recticulate
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute, Obtuse
Foliar Base	Rounded / Obtuse

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Woody

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality	Bisexual Flowers , Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s)	White

Flower Grouping	Cluster / Inflorescence
Flower Location	Cauliflorous
Flower Symmetry	Radial
Flowering Habit	Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s)	Green
Mature Fruit Texture(s)	Bristly, Thorny / Spiny
Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit

Fruit Type	Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule
Mature Seed Colour(s)	Brown

References

References	<1> Kostermans. A.J. (1959). The Genus Durio Adans (Bombac.), Reinwardtia, 4(3): 106-108. Indonesia: Herbarium Bogoriense. <2> Ridley, H.N (1900). The Flora of Singapore. Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 33:51. <3> Ridley, H.N (1916). New and Rare Malayan Plants. Series VIII. Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 73:143.

References

<1> Kostermans. A.J. (1959). The Genus Durio Adans (Bombac.), Reinwardtia, 4(3): 106-108. Indonesia: Herbarium Bogoriense.

<2> Ridley, H.N (1900). The Flora of Singapore. Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 33:51.

<3> Ridley, H.N (1916). New and Rare Malayan Plants. Series VIII. Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. 73:143.

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID	29703
Species ID	4012

Species record last updated on: 15 November 2024.