Definition

Noun 1. A tropical fruit tree: Nephelium lappaceum is the scientific name for a tree species native to Southeast Asia, commonly known as the rambutan tree. It is characterized by producing a distinctive, hairy, red fruit.

Usage

• The term is used primarily in formal, scientific, or botanical contexts to precisely identify the species.
• In everyday language, the common names "rambutan tree" or simply "rambutan" (for the fruit) are almost always used instead.

Examples

• Scientific/Botanical Context:
  • The study focused on the genetic diversity of Nephelium lappaceum across different regions of Malaysia.
  • In the botanical garden, the Nephelium lappaceum was labeled with both its scientific and common names.

Advanced Usage

• The name is part of a binomial nomenclature system (Genus , species ). It is always written in italics, with the genus name capitalized.

Variants and Related Words

• Rambutan (n): The common name for both the fruit and, informally, the tree ().
• Hairy lychee (n): A descriptive common name for the fruit, referencing its similarity to and difference from the lychee.

Synonyms

• Rambutan tree

Noun

1. Malayan tree bearing spiny red fruit