The king of fruits

Abstract

The durian (genus Durio) has aroused curiosity among botanists for centuries, and influenced local culture across Southeast Asia for millennia. Of the 30 described species of Durio, about a third produce edible fruits, yet just one (Durio zibethinus) is grown on a commercial scale. Several new species have been described recently, which may be a reservoir of important genetic resources. Meanwhile, unregulated durian cultivation triggered by rapidly growing demand and a high return on investment may pose a threat to natural forests. Here we review recent findings in the genus with a focus on Malaysia and Indonesia. We suggest that further research into obscure wild relatives and local cultivars, will be important in the context of growing international demand for durian, coupled with an increasing reliance on commercial cultivars of this economically and culturally important fruit. Finally we suggest greater attention should be given to the potential threat to biodiversity posed by illegal durian plantations in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet.