The Alupag tree, scientifically known as Dimocarpus didyma, is an evergreen fruit bearing plant, indigenous to Philippines. It is a close relative of litchi and bears tasty fruits. The tree, around 7-10 meters tall, is evergreen. Leaves alternate, compound, up to 30 cm long with 6-9 pairs of leaflets the texture leathery. Rippled glossy green dorsally and lighter green beneath. Flowers are small, whitish, hermaphroditic, formed on terminal or axillary panicles. The fruit size is about 2.5-4 cm. It is whitish, semi-transparent in flesh wrapped around a large black seed. It tastes delicious and juicy. The outward appearance looks warty, of rough peel, brownish and globular. Filipinos prefer to eat the fruits fresh but also processed and canned.
The fruit is appreciated in its native range, but generally put aside for its better known and highly selected relatives, the lychee and longan. Alupag s already rare in the Philippines, and most Filipinos, do not even know that this exists. It is listed as Endangered in the Philippine National Red List for Plants. There is no effort to cultivate the tree.
Students of the Gastronomic Sciences at Pollenzo are collaborating with Slow Food to fill the Ark.