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Sapindaceae
Lychee
Litchi chinensis
Romance, abundance, and good fortune in Chinese culture.
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Genus
- Litchi
- Native to
- southern China, Southeast Asia
- Bloom season
- Spring
- Type
- evergreen tree
- Height
- 1000–2800 cm
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- rich, well-drained, slightly acidic
- Water
- medium to high
- Hardiness
- 10–11
- Lifespan
- perennial tree; 100+ years
Did you know
- Lychee has been cultivated in China for over 2,000 years and was a favorite fruit of imperial concubine Yang Guifei.
- Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty had fresh lychees rushed by horse relay from southern China to the capital for her.
- Each panicle contains hundreds of tiny flowers, but only 1–3% develop into fruit.
- The fruit's translucent, juicy flesh has a flavor often described as a blend of grape, rose, and watermelon.
- Lychee honey is a prized delicacy with a delicate floral flavor, produced primarily in southern China and Florida.
Color meanings
White
pure sweetness and auspicious beginnings