Marang, like the breadfruit, is a tree, which can grow up to 25 m tall and have a 40 cm diameter trunk with low buttresses.
Marang leaves are oval-shaped, 16-50 × 11-28 cm, and rough like sandpaper. A single male or female flower cluster (inflorescence) occurs in the leaf axils. Male heads are narrowly ellipse shaped and 4-11 × 2-6 cm in size, whereas female heads are wider and have hairy bracts. The fruit averages about 16 cm in length, 13 cm in diameter and weighs about 1 kg. It is shaped like a roundish football but studded with short, brittle, greenish yellow spines. When ripe, it produces a strong, penetrating fruity odor. The rind is thick and fleshy. The flesh is separated into segments clinging to the central core and each segment contains a seed surrounded by a sweet, juicy coating that is the edible part of the fruit. The seeds are many, whitish, 8 × 15 mm in size, and smooth surfaced.
SUBHADRABANDHU, S. 2001. Under-Utilized Tropical Fruits of Thailand. Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.
|
NEWS
