Longan (Dimocarpus longan)

Features and Characteristics

Dimocarpus longan, commonly called dragon’s eye or longan, is an evergreen monoecious tree that is native to Southeast Asia. It typically matures to 30-40′ tall with spreading branches. It is commonly grown for its edible fruit in tropical/subtropical areas around the globe, particularly in China, India , Southeast Asia and Australia. In the U.S., it will survive winters in southern Florida, southern California and Hawaii. Glossy, evergreen, leathery, wavy-edged, pinnate compound leaves, with each leaf having 6-10 narrow leaflets in opposite pairs. Small male or bi-sexual pale yellow to white flowers bloom in panicles in spring. Spherical, edible, single seeded, sweet and juicy, grape-sized fruits (3/4″ diameter) in pendant clusters ripen to yellow-brown in summer to early fall. Each single-seeded fruit reportedly resembles the eye of a dragon, hence the common name. Fruits may be eaten fresh, cooked, dried or canned in syrup.

Synonymous with and formerly called Euphoria longan.