269 
THE LANZON 
By J. E. HiGGiNS. 
The lanzon (Lanskun doniesticiim Jack) is the most con- 
spicuous and one of the most important fruits in the markets in 
the PhiHppines during September. The fruits grow in dense 
clusters resembhng in the distance the fruits of Loquat, but 
upon closer examination they are seen to be much smoother 
and the clusters more dense and larger. The individual fruits 
range from an inch to an inch and three-quarters in length and 
from seven-eighth of an inch to an inch and a half in diameter 
and are attached rather firmly to the cluster. Each fruit is nicely 
covered with a thin, tough leathery rind or skin which encloses 
five segments of deliciously flavored pulp, which in taste reminds 
one of the grape-fruit. The fruit usually contains from one to 
two seeds, but frequently it is seedless and it is probable that 
in time varieties may be found which will be quite seedless and 
these may be propagated by budding or grafting. There is a 
bitter principle in the seed and in eating the fruit, one is careful 
not to eat too close to the seed. The customary manner of eating 
the fruit is to squeeze it betw^een the thumb and finger until 
the leathery skin cracks, exposing to view the five delicious 
morsels within, which are easily separated from the skin and 
from a thin inner integument which encloses each segment. 
The lanzon tree is of very upright growth and carries its fruit 
clusters close to the trunk or main branches of the tree. It is 
customary in gathering the fruit, for the picker to climb the tree 
and place a rope around the ascending branches drawing them 
in toward the center so that nearly all the clusters may be 
reached from the center of the tree. These clusters are care- 
fully cut, placed in baskets and lowered by a rope to the ground. 
The fruits are packed in large bamboo baskets and are shipped 
to all the country markets as well as to Manila. 
An interesting requirement of this tree is its apparent love 
of shade and it is, therefore, planted in coconut plantations as 
extra trees in addition to the regular number of coconuts. When 
planted without shade the lanzon tree appears to be subject to 
diseases and insect attacks and does not thrive well. 
The tree is propagated by seeds and up to the present time 
no method of a sexual propagation has come into use among 
the growers. Marcottage, air layering or Chinese layering is 
known and is commonly practiced among the Filipino fruit 
growers, but this method for some reason has not been used to 
any considerable extent with the lanzon. 
It is unfortunate that the tree requires many years to come 
into bearing, being almost a rival of the Litchi in this respect, 
as many growers claim that seedlings can hardly be expected to 
