Mountain durian facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mountain durian |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Malvales |
| Family: | Malvaceae |
| Genus: | Durio |
| Species: |
D. kinabaluensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Durio kinabaluensis Kosterm. & Soegeng 1958
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The Durio kinabaluensis is a special forest tree. People also call it the mountain durian or durian tapuloh. It belongs to the mallow family, which includes plants like cotton and hibiscus. This tree is known for its unique fruits, similar to other durian types.
Contents
What is the Mountain Durian Like?
Tree Size and Features
This amazing tree can grow very tall! It reaches up to 40 meters (about 130 feet) high. That's like a 13-story building. The bottom part of its trunk is wide, like a giant support, which helps the tree stand strong.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the mountain durian are oval-shaped. They are about 10 to 16 centimeters long. The top side of the leaf is smooth. But the bottom side has tiny golden-brown scales and hairs. When the tree blooms, you'll see pretty clusters of 5 to 6 flowers. These flowers are pink to reddish and grow right on the branches.
Fruits and Seeds
The fruits of the mountain durian are greenish-yellow to yellow. They are about 8 to 10 centimeters wide. The outside of the fruit is covered with small, cone-shaped spines. Inside, you'll find brown seeds, each about 3 centimeters long. These seeds are covered in a creamy or pale yellow part called an aril. This aril is the yummy, edible part of the fruit.
Where Does the Mountain Durian Grow?
Native Home in Borneo
The mountain durian is special because it is found only in one place. It is endemic to Borneo, a large island in Southeast Asia. This means it naturally grows nowhere else in the world.
Specific Locations and Habitat
You can find this tree in the Crocker Range and on Mount Kinabalu. Both of these places are in Sabah, a state in Malaysia. It likes to grow in hill forests and lower mountain forests. These areas are usually found at high elevations, from 800 to 1300 meters (about 2,600 to 4,200 feet) above sea level.
How is the Mountain Durian Used?
Local Use and Sales
Sometimes, people living near the Crocker Range plant these trees close to their villages. They do this to grow the fruits. When the fruits are ready, they are often sold at small stalls along the roadsides. This allows locals and visitors to enjoy the unique taste of the mountain durian.
