The durian (genus Durio) has aroused curiosity among botanists for centuries, and influenced local culture across Southeast Asia for millennia. Of the 30 described species of Durio, about a third produce edible fruits, yet just one (Durio zibethinus) is grown on a commercial scale. Several new species have been described recently, which may be a reservoir of important genetic resources. Meanwhile, unregulated durian cultivation triggered by rapidly growing demand and a high return on investment may pose a threat to natural forests. Here we review recent findings in the genus with a focus on Malaysia and Indonesia. We suggest that further research into obscure wild relatives and local cultivars, will be important in the context of growing international demand for durian, coupled with an increasing reliance on commercial cultivars of this economically and culturally important fruit. Finally we suggest greater attention should be given to the potential threat to biodiversity posed by illegal durian plantations in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet. Durian (genus Durio) telah menimbulkan rasa ingin tahu dalam kalangan ahli botani sejak berabad‐abad lamanya dan mempengaruhi budaya tempatan di rantau Asia Tenggara selama beribu tahun. Daripada 30 spesies Durio yang dihuraikan, kira‐kira satu pertiga menghasilkan buah yang boleh dimakan, namun hanya satu (Durio zibethinus) yang ditanam pada skala komersial. Beberapa spesies baharu telah dihuraikan kebelakangan ini, yang mungkin merupakan takungan sumber genetik yang penting. Sementara itu, penanaman durian secara tidak terkawal yang dicetuskan oleh permintaan yang semakin meningkat dan pulangan pelaburan yang tinggi mungkin menimbulkan ancaman kepada hutan semula jadi. Di sini kami menyemak semula penemuan terbaru genus ini dengan memfokuskan kepada Malaysia dan Indonesia. Kami mencadangkan bahawa penyelidikan lanjut ke atas kerabat liar dan kultivar tempatan yang masih tidak jelas, akan menjadi penting dalam konteks permintaan antarabangsa yang makin meningkat untuk durian, ditambah dengan peningkatan pergantungan pada klon‐klon komersial buah yang penting dari segi ekonomi dan budaya setempat. Akhir sekali, kami mencadangkan perhatian yang lebih, harus diberikan terhadap potensi ancaman kepada biodiversiti, yang diakibatkan oleh ladang durian haram, di satu daripada kawasan yang paling tinggi biodiversiti di planet ini. The durian (genus Durio) has aroused curiosity among botanists for centuries, and influenced local culture across Southeast Asia for millennia. Of the 30 described species of Durio, about a third produce edible fruits, yet just one (Durio zibethinus) is grown on a commercial scale. Several new species have been described recently, which may be a reservoir of important genetic resources. Meanwhile, unregulated durian cultivation triggered by rapidly growing demand and a high return on investment may pose a threat to natural forests. Here we review recent findings in the genus with a focus on Malaysia and Indonesia. We suggest that further research into obscure wild relatives and local cultivars, will be important in the context of growing international demand for durian, coupled with an increasing reliance on commercial clones of this economically and culturally important fruit. Finally we suggest greater attention should be given to the potential threat to biodiversity posed by illegal durian plantations in one of the most biodiverse regions of the planet.