Definition

Noun 1. A tropical fruit tree: A tree (Dimocarpus longan, formerly classified as Nephelium longana) native to Southeast Asia and Australia, cultivated mainly for its sweet, edible fruit. 2. The fruit of this tree: The small, round fruit, also called longan, has a thin, brittle, brown shell, translucent white flesh, and a single dark seed. It is similar to but smaller than a lychee.

Examples

• The nephelium longana is a popular tree in many home gardens in Thailand and Vietnam.
• The fruit from the nephelium longana is often sold in clusters while still on the branch.
• Dried nephelium longana is a common ingredient in traditional desserts and herbal teas.

Advanced Usage

• The term nephelium longana is primarily used in botanical and scientific contexts. In everyday language, the tree and its fruit are almost universally referred to as longan.
• It is sometimes placed in the genera or , though its accepted botanical name is .

Variants and Related Words

• Longan (n): The common name for both the tree and the fruit of .
• Dragon's eye (n): A descriptive name for the fruit, referring to its appearance when shelled (the translucent flesh and dark seed resemble an eyeball).
• Lychee (n): A closely related fruit () that is larger and has a rougher, red shell.

Synonyms

• Longan tree
• (scientific name)

Noun

1. tree of southeastern Asia to Australia grown primarily for its sweet edible fruit resembling litchi nuts; sometimes placed in genera Euphorbia or Nephelium