Phenological growth stages of longan (Dimocarpus longan) according to the BBCH scale

•Standardized description of different longan growth stages according to the extended BBCH scale.•Clear illustrations of the main growth stages are provided.•Useful codes to optimize comparison of data taken under different edaphoclimatic conditions.•The system is also valid for growth conditions with several vegetative and reproductive flushes.

Longan (Dimocarpus longan) is an important evergreen fruit crop grown in tropical and subtropical climates, with a clear expanding potential, but with a poorly described phenology. In this work, the different phenological growth stages of longan are characterized according to the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische industrie) scale. From vegetative bud dormancy to fruit harvest, seven main growth stages are described for bud, leaf and shoot development, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit development and fruit maturity. Within them 41 secondary growth stages are described. The BBCH code will be an important tool to assist the development and implementation of longan management protocols and to standardize observations made in different edaphoclimatic and experimental conditions.