The Pulasan Tree is a tropical fruit tree that is native to Indonesia and Malaysia. The word "Pulasan" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /pulɑsən tri/, which breaks down as follows: the "p" is pronounced with a voiceless bilabial stop, the "u" is pronounced with a high back rounded vowel, the "l" is pronounced with a voiced alveolar lateral approximant, the "a" is pronounced with a low front unrounded vowel, the "s" is pronounced with a voiceless alveolar fricative, and the "ən" is pronounced with a neutral vowel sound.
The "Pulasan Tree" is a tropical, evergreen tree scientifically known as Nephelium ramboutan-ake. It belongs to the family Sapindaceae, native to Southeast Asia, specifically to Malaysia, Borneo, and parts of Indonesia. The tree can reach an average height of 10 to 15 meters and has a dense, rounded crown with glossy, dark green leaves.
The Pulasan Tree is primarily cultivated for its fruit, which is also called pulasan. The fruit is round or oval in shape, measuring around 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter. It has a thick, leathery skin that is covered in short, soft spines. When the fruit is ripe, the skin turns bright red or yellow, depending on the variety. The sweet, juicy flesh inside the fruit surrounds a large seed, similar to the rambutan fruit. The taste is often described as a combination of sweet and sour, with a hint of floral flavors.
The Pulasan Tree requires a warm, humid climate to thrive and prefers well-drained soil. It is typically grown in tropical regions for commercial purposes or as a backyard fruit tree. The fruit is usually eaten fresh and can be enjoyed as a snack or used in various desserts, jams, and jellies. The tree also provides shade and creates an attractive ornamental presence in gardens due to its lush, green foliage.
The word "Pulasan" is derived from the Tagalog language, which is one of the major languages spoken in the Philippines. In Tagalog, "pulas" means "to pull" or "to separate", while "pulasan" pertains to something that can be peeled or separated, referring specifically to the fruit of the Pulasan tree. The name likely originated from the way the fruit of the Pulasan tree easily separates from the rind or peel when it is ripe.