Singapore is located in the the unique region of Southeast Asia that the durian is native to.

But most of the fruits sold here are imported from Malaysia. In fact, Singaporeans' love for durians has made our country one of the top durian importers in the world.

It is pretty obvious that our concrete urban jungle and land constraints are the reasons why we can't cultivate locally grown durians to be sold on a commercial scale.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Source: Getty Images[/caption]

But that does not mean that there is no such thing as locally grown Singaporean durian.

Singapore in the days of old was very rich in biodiversity.

So rich in fact, that the famous British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who co-discovered the theory of evolution was deeply impressed by our island's biodiversity when he came here to study it in the 1800s.

Wallace also tried out and reviewed the durian during his time in the region, but that's another story.

Hence, it is no surprise then that durian trees are part of our natural heritage and landscape.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="790"] Source: National Museum of Singapore Facebook[/caption]

We actually have a durian named after us

The Durio Singaporensis is a species of durian native to Singapore, and only found here and in Peninsular Malaysia.

While it is a close relative of those sold commercially, this durian is also disappointingly different. That's because it is much smaller, at around 10cm in size, and there is hardly any flesh on its seeds.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="960"] Durio Singaporensis via NParks Facebook[/caption]

The tree grows up to 40m tall and can be found in some of our nature reserves, like Dairy Farm Nature Park.

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Three officially registered breeds/varieties of Singaporean durian

There many many different varieties of durians out in the market these days, such as the Mao Shan Wang, XO, and D24. Many of them originate from different parts of Malaysia, and some are produced through selective breeding.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="526"] Source: Getty Images[/caption]

Among these registered varieties out there are three from Singapore, which are presumably eponyms.

Research by the Australian government notes each of their characteristics:

H.C. Tan No.2 -- This variety bears 1-2 kg , light green, pear-shaped fruit with medium length spines. The aril is thin but creamy, sweet with some bitterness. The seeds are shrunken and flat.

H. C. Lim -- The fruits are 1-2 kg, elongated oval, brownish with medium length spines. The aril is pink, thin sweet, not fibrous enclosing small seeds.

Lim Keng Meng -- The fruits are globose, 1-2 kg, brownish with medium length spines. The aril is yellow, medium thick, creamy and bitter-sweet.

Sadly, however, we may never be able to try these varieties out because they are not for sale, and can only be found in agrotechnology parks and research centres.

Durians still grow here

You might be feeling that all your dreams about tasting Singaporean durian have now been shattered after learning about the general inedibility of the Durio Singaporensis and off-limits of the three Singaporean cultivated varieties, but there is some hope yet.

There are still wild durian trees scattered across our island and even Pulau Ubin that bear fruit seasonally.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] Image via Singapore Durian Picking[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Pulau Ubin durians. Image via Remember Singapore[/caption]

And apparently, there is a Facebook community group known as Singapore Durian Picking excursions into Singapore's wilderness to pick durians around the island.

But bear in mind that it is illegal and extremely dangerous to enter into protected areas under Mindef though. If the falling fruit doesn't kill you, a live round might, or you might get arrested.

Some durian trees were planted

Not all are durian trees growing around Singapore are wild though. Some were planted over the years.

Here's a photo of then prime minister Goh Chok Tong planting a durian sapling at Lorong Lew Lian Gardens in 1995.

And here's two photos of then Acting Minister for the Environment Teo Chee Hean and then Minister for Information and the Arts George Yeo watering the durian saplings they had just planted at the same estate because Lorong Lew Lian.

Durian trees were also planted elsewhere in the 1980s, including Jalan Lam Sam.

And in Choa Chu Kang.

There are also some at Paya Lebar Way, which were planted in 1983. Here's Minister for Home Affairs and MP for MacPherson Chua Sian Chin handing over the care of a fruit orchard in a housing estate to a Residents' Committee chairman. 

Even though Singaporean durians are not sold commercially, they are still growing on trees around the island.

If you're lucky, one might just fall on you.

Top image from Getty Images.