A species indigenous to Malaysia and Indonesia has been found for the first time inMaharashtraatKolhapurdistrict.
It is, therefore, the first scientific record of the tree in the state said renowned botanist Dr MadhukarBachulkar. Environment lover Dr Subhash Athale spotted it near Andur dam in Gaganbawda tehsil.
Rambutan is a Malaysian word. The tree got its name from the small tufted hair on the fruit which is used to make a variety of drinks from gara. Its bark, roots and leaves are used in traditional medicines and the leaves are also used to make dyes. The trees are widely cultivated for their fruits in Thailand,SriLanka, Singapore, and, to some extent, Kerala in India.