Lai (Durio kutejensis)

Lai (Durio kutejensis) is a plant species in the Malvaceae family. It is a tall tree, reaching up to 25 meters in height with a trunk diameter of 40 cm. It features a taproot system and a cylindrical trunk with cracked, rough bark. The tree is highly branched, with a sympodial growth pattern and horizontally extending branches. Its fruit is edible and possesses a subtle, sweet flavor.

The leaves are elliptic to oblong, measuring 20–25 cm in length and 5–7 cm in width, with rounded bases. The underside is covered in dense, reddish-brown scales, while the upper surface is glossy. The flowers are round, ranging in color from bright to dark red, and are approximately 10 cm long; they typically appear in clusters of three or more, often emerging irregularly on older branches.

The fruit is oblong or asymmetrically round, weighing 1–2 kg, and has a short stalk. Young fruits are bright green or yellowish-green, while mature fruits turn yellow to brown. The rind covered with blunt spines. The flesh has a soft, smooth texture—somewhat dry—with a delicate aroma that is sometimes reminiscent of roses. The flesh can range in color from yellow or dark yellow to orange or even red. The seeds are light to dark brown.

D. kutejensis thrives at elevations between 50 and 200 meters, in regions with a 2-month dry season and a 9–12 month wet season, and an annual rainfall of 1,500–2,500 mm. The edible flesh accounts for 20–40% of the total fruit weight. Per 100 grams, the flesh contains 71.24% water, 1.81% protein, 2.90% fat (consisting of unsaturated fatty acids), 0.43% vitamin C, and 1.8 ppm of iron (Fe).

TAXON

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Tracheophyta
Subphylum: Angiospermae
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Subfamily: Helicteroideae
Tribe: Durioneae
Genus: Durio Adans. in Fam. Pl. 2: 399 (1763)
Species: Durio kutejensis (Hassk.) Becc. in Malesia 3: 251 (1889)

HOMOTYPIC SYNONYMS

Lahia kutejensis Hassk. in Hort. Bogor. Descr.: 100 (1858)

PUBLICATIONS

Govaerts, R. (2000). World Checklist of Seed Plants Database in ACCESS Genera starting with letter D: 1-30141.

VERNACULAR NAME

Brunei: Durian kuning
Chinese (simplified): 古泰榴莲
Chinese (simplified): 黄金榴梿
Dayak: Sekawi
English: Lai, Durian kutai
Indonesia: Lai, Durian kutai, Durian pulu, Durian kuning, Durian merah, Nyekak, Kuluk
Java: Duren abang
Kalimantan: Dian bala, Durian isu, Durian kuning, Durian tinggang, Durian utan, Kawai, Lai, Layuk, Lembunyu, Luas, Paku, Pekawai, Putuk, Ruas, Sekawi.
Malaysia: Durian merah, Rian isu
Melayu: Durian Nyekak
Spanish: Durián pulu
Thai: ทุเรียนปูลู

Aryo Bandoro
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