Pometia pinnata | |
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In flower, Tonga | |
New growth and developing fruit | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Sapindales |
Family: | Sapindaceae |
Genus: | Pometia |
Species: | P. pinnata
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Binomial name | |
Pometia pinnata |
Pometia pinnata is a large tropical hardwood and fruit tree species, with common names including matoa, taun tree, island lychee, tava,[2] Pacific lychee of the plant family Sapindaceae.[3]
Naturally widespread, the trees are native to tropical South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Melanesia. It was transported during the Austronesian expansion to Polynesia during prehistoric times,[3][4] evident by cognates of local names used on islands ranging from Sulawesi to Niue.[2]
Pometia pinnata grows into medium tree of 40 m (130 ft) tall.[3] It has pinnate leaves. The fruits are green, yellow, or dark red up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long, each with one seed surrounded by a fleshy aril.
This popular fruit is slightly larger than a longan, but its flesh is less watery and its shell is thicker.