Lychee belongs to the member of the family Sapindaceae. This plant is cultivated as a vital fruit tree in tropical and subtropical areas. The features of Lychee fruit are it possess bright color, excellent tast, and exotic aroma. Lychee is a well-known fruit in the world. Currently, it is cultivated on every continent besides Antarctica and is noted as “King of Fruits”.

Name Lychee
Scientific Name Litchi chinensis
Native Lychee is native to Southern China and was introduced to the countries with subtropical or tropical climates by past 400 years.
Common/English Name Chinese Cherry, Lichee, Leechee, Litchi, Mountain Lychee, Lychee, Water Lychee
Name in Other Languages Brazil: Lichia;
Burmese: Lin Chi;
Chinese: Ma Gie;
Czech: Liči čínské;
Danish: Litchiblomme;
Dutch: Lychee;
French: Litchier;
Haiti (French): Quenepe Chinois;
Hungarian: Licsi;
India:-
Bengali: Lichi,
Hindu: Lichi,
Kannada: Lichi Hannu,
Manipuri: Lichi,
Marathi: Lichi,
Mizoram: Lachu,
Oriya: Lichi;
Indonesia (Kalimantan): Mengkuris;
Italian: Litchi;
German: Litschibaum;
Greek: Litsi;
Japanese: Reishi;
Khmer: Kuléén;
Laotian: Ngèèw;
Malaysia: Kelengkang;
Nepali: Litchi;
Philippines (Tagalog): Licheas;
Polish: Liczi chińskie;
Portuguese: Litchia;
Reunion (French): Pied De Letchi;
Russian: Nefelium Lichi;
Slovašcina: Liči;
Spanish: Mamoncillo Chino;
Swedish: Litchiplommon;
Thai: Si Raman Kha;
Vietnamese: Tu Hú
Plant Growth Habit Evergreen, medium sized tree
Growing Climate Warm subtropical to tropical
Soil Well-drained
Plant Size Height: 40-50 feet
Lifespan A perennial plant, survive for 1,000 years in wild
Trunk Short stocky
Bark Dark greyish
Branches Terete, lenticellate, brownish to red
Leaf Alternate, pinnate, dark green, evergreen, glossy, Length: 3-6 inches
Flowering Season Late December-April
Flower Small, greenish to white to yellowish
Fruit shape & size Aromatic, subglobose, ovoid, heart-shaped, Length: 4 cm; Wide: 2 or 5 cm
Fruit weight 10 g
Fruit color Strawberry red, pinkish, amber; Diameter: 1.5 inch
Flesh color Glossy, thick, succulent, translucent to white
Fruit peel Thin, leathery, rough, yellow-pinkish or red
Flavor/aroma Subacid, pungent
Fruit Taste Distinct, sweet
Seed One, hard, shiny, dark brown, ellipsoid to oblong; Length: 20 mm
Varieties/Types
  • Emperor fruit
  • Mauritiu
  • Sweet Heart
  • Brewster
  • Haak Yip
  • Bengal
Fruit Season Late June-July
Major Nutritions (Raw) Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) 135.8 mg (150.89%)
Copper, Cu 0.281 mg (31.22%)
Carbohydrate 31.41 g (24.16%)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) 0.19 mg (14.62%)
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.124 mg (9.54%)
Phosphorus, P 59 mg (8.43%)
Iron, Fe 0.59 mg (7.38%)
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1.146 mg (7.16%)
Potassium, K 325 mg (6.91%)
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 27 µg (6.75%)
Health Benefits
  • Supports digestion
  • Enhance immunity
  • Prevent cancer
  • Antiviral properties
  • Maintains blood pressure
  • Oligonol
  • Circulates blood
Calories in 1 cup (190 gm) 125 Kcal.
Traditional uses
  • The decoction is used as a gargle to alleviate throat ailments.
  • Treats orchitis and neuralgic disorders.
  • Provides relief from coughs, cells growth, and stomach pain.
  • Treat tumors, gastralgia, and gland enlargements.
  • Cure eruptions of smallpox and diarrhea.
  • Powdered seeds are useful for intestinal problems.
  • Provide relief from neuralgic pains.
  • Ground seeds soothe gastrically.
  • Promote bleeding, cure sore throats and prevent UV rays.
Precautions
  • Limited amounts for diabetic patients.
  • Discontinue using before two weeks of scheduled surgery.
  • Experience allergic reactions.
  • Overconsumption results in diarrhea, gastrointestinal problems, and abdominal pain.
  • Excessive consumption results in hypoglycemia, seizure, fever, and unconsciousness.
How to Eat
  • Added to fruit salads and fruit cups.
  • Packed with a mixture of mayonnaise and cream cheese.
  • Covered with whipped cream and pistachio ice cream as a dessert.
  • Added to the ice cream mix.
  • Made as sherbet.
  • Lychee is canned in sugar syrup.
  • Consumed like raisins.
  • Consumed fresh or raw.
  • Added to fruit dressings and salads.
  • Made into jellies, sorbet, jams, sauces, and syrups.
  • Found fresh, dried, or canned.
  • Added to the recipes, desserts, and ice cream.
  • Lychee is used with slices of avocado.
  • Lychee mixes well with banana, strawberry, mango, papaya, and coconut water.
Other Facts
  • The leaves consist of 2 to 4 thin leaflets.
  • The flowers can be green, white, or yellow.
  • Bees are the main pollinators of the plant.
  • Lychee ripens in 100-120 days.
  • Lychee possesses a floral aroma.
  • Lychee is called Chinese strawberry because looks like a strawberry.
  • In China, Lychee is regarded as the symbol of romance and love.
  • China and India are the highest manufacturers of Lychee.
  • The dried Lychee possesses a smoky flavor.
  • The rough and thin skin of Lychee is peeled before consumption.
  • Lychee has red to pink skin with translucent flesh.

Lychee Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Litchi chinensis

Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
Superdivision Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Subclass Rosidae
Order Sapindales
Family Sapindaceae (Soapberry family)
Genus Litchi Sonn.  (Lychee)
Species Litchi chinensis Sonn. (Lychee)
Synonyms
  • Corvinia litschi Stadtm. ex Willemet
  • Euphoria didyma Blanco
  • Euphoria litchi Juss. ex Desf.
  • Euphoria sinensis J.F.Gmel.
  • Litchi chinensis var. euspontanea H.H.Hsue
  • Nephelium chinense (Sonn.) Druce
  • Nephelium chinense (Sonn.) Druce
  • Nephelium chinense (Sonn.) M.R.Almeida
  • Nephelium didymum Craib
  • Nephelium dimocarpus Hiern
  • Nephelium dimocarpus Hiern
  • Nephelium duriocarpum T.Anderson ex Hiern
  • Nephelium duriocarpum T.Anderson ex Hiern
  • Nephelium litchi Cambess.
  • Nephelium litchi Steud.
  • Nephelium litchi Steud.
  • Scytalia chinensis Gaertn.
  • Scytalia litschi Roxb.
  • Scytalia squamosa Stokes