Dimocarpus longan subsp. longan

Dimocarpus longan subsp. longan, commonly known as longan, is a tropical evergreen tree prized for its sweet, translucent fruit. Deeply rooted in traditional medicine, it is valued for its ability to nourish the blood, calm the spirit, and support overall vitality, making it a staple in holistic wellness practices.

  • Scientific name: Dimocarpus longan subsp. longan
  • Family: Sapindaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Sapindales and the family Sapindaceae. Finally, the specific subspecies longan is identified under the genus Dimocarpus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Sapindaceae WCVP
Genus Dimocarpus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Dimocarpus longan subsp. longan, is widely known throughout different regions by various names, including the Norwegian common name longan (nb: longan).
Language Common Name Source
nb longan Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several key regions of Asia and the Indian Ocean. In East Asia, its presence is notably established throughout Taiwan. Moving toward the mainland, it can be found extensively within China, specifically in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan regions. Beyond the Asian continent, its distribution extends into the Western Indian Ocean. Within this oceanic area, the species is documented on the island of Réunion.

Region Area Source
Western Indian Ocean Réunion WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Sri Lanka WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as longan (Dimocarpus longan subsp. longan), is primarily valued for its fleshy, translucent arillus, which is the edible portion surrounding the seed. While the entire fruit is consumed, it is specifically this sweet, succulent sac that contains the concentrated nutrients and medicinal properties sought in traditional practices. The surrounding pericarp serves as a protective layer, but it is the juicy, white arillus that defines the fruit's unique texture and provides its characteristic flavor.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
Arillus 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Dimocarpus longan subsp. longan has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆