1- Introduction to the Species Litchi chinensis Sonn. - Lychee tree
1.1- Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Subfamily: Sapindoideae
Genus: Litchi Sonn.
Species: Litchi chinensis Sonn.
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Sapindales
Family: Sapindaceae
Subfamily: Sapindoideae
Genus: Litchi Sonn.
Species: Litchi chinensis Sonn.
1.2- Species Litchi chinensis Sonn. - Lychee trees
+ Overview
The Lychee, litchi, liechee, liche, lizhi or li zhi, or lichee (Litchi chinensis) is the sole member of the genus Litchi in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae.
Litchi chinensis was described and named by French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat in his Voyage aux Indes orientales et à la Chine, fait depuis 1774 jusqu'à 1781 (1782).
It is a tropical and subtropical fruit tree native to the Guangdong and Fujian provinces of China, and now cultivated in many parts of the world. The fresh fruit has a "delicate, whitish pulp" with a floral smell and a fragrant, sweet flavor. Since this perfume-like flavor is lost in the process of canning, the fruit is usually eaten fresh.
+ Subspecies
There are three subspecies, determined by flower arrangement, twig thickness, fruit, and number of stamens.
1- Litchi chinensis subsp. chinensis is the only commercialized lychee. It grows wild in southern China, northern Vietnam, and Cambodia. It has thin twigs, flowers typically have six stamens, fruit are smooth or with protuberances up to 2 mm (0.079 in).
2- Litchi chinensis subsp. philippinensis (Radlk.) Leenh. It is common in the wild in the Philippines and rarely cultivated. It has thin twigs, six to seven stamens, long oval fruit with spiky protuberances up to 3 mm (0.12 in).
3- Litchi chinensis subsp. javensis. It is only known in cultivation, in Malaysia and Indonesia. It has thick twigs, flowers with seven to eleven stamens in sessile clusters, smooth fruit with protuberances up to 1 mm (0.039 in).
+ Overview
The Lychee, litchi, liechee, liche, lizhi or li zhi, or lichee (Litchi chinensis) is the sole member of the genus Litchi in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae.
Litchi chinensis was described and named by French naturalist Pierre Sonnerat in his Voyage aux Indes orientales et à la Chine, fait depuis 1774 jusqu'à 1781 (1782).
It is a tropical and subtropical fruit tree native to the Guangdong and Fujian provinces of China, and now cultivated in many parts of the world. The fresh fruit has a "delicate, whitish pulp" with a floral smell and a fragrant, sweet flavor. Since this perfume-like flavor is lost in the process of canning, the fruit is usually eaten fresh.
+ Subspecies
There are three subspecies, determined by flower arrangement, twig thickness, fruit, and number of stamens.
1- Litchi chinensis subsp. chinensis is the only commercialized lychee. It grows wild in southern China, northern Vietnam, and Cambodia. It has thin twigs, flowers typically have six stamens, fruit are smooth or with protuberances up to 2 mm (0.079 in).
2- Litchi chinensis subsp. philippinensis (Radlk.) Leenh. It is common in the wild in the Philippines and rarely cultivated. It has thin twigs, six to seven stamens, long oval fruit with spiky protuberances up to 3 mm (0.12 in).
3- Litchi chinensis subsp. javensis. It is only known in cultivation, in Malaysia and Indonesia. It has thick twigs, flowers with seven to eleven stamens in sessile clusters, smooth fruit with protuberances up to 1 mm (0.039 in).
2- Characteristics of the Species Litchi chinensis Sonn. - Lychee trees
2.1- Description
+ The plants
Litchi chinensis is an evergreen tree reaching 10-28 metres (33-92 ft) tall with a short stocky trunk. The bark is grey-black, the branches a brownish-red.
In some cultivars, the branches are crooked or twisting and spreading forming a crown broader than high, while in other cultivars, the branches are fairly straight and upright forming a compact, rounded crown.
+ The leaves
The leaves are alternative and compound, with leaflets in 2-4 pairs. The leaves are 10 to 25 cm (3.9 to 9.8 in) or longer. The leaflets are oblong and 5 to 15 cm long.
Litchee have a similar foliage to the Lauraceae family likely due to convergent evolution. They are adapted by developing leaves that repel water, and are called laurophyll or lauroid leaves.
+ The flowers
Flowers grow on a terminal inflorescence with many panicles on the current season's growth. The panicles grow in clusters of ten or more, reaching 10 to 40 cm (3.9 to 15.7 in) or longer, holding hundreds of small white, yellow, or green flowers that are distinctively fragrant.
The inflorescences are many branched panicles, each with one or more leaves and up to 3,000 flowers, and from 5 to 80 fruit at harvest.
+ The fruits
The lychee bears fleshy fruits that are up to 5 cm long and 4 cm wide (2.0 in × 1.6 in), approximately 20g.
The skin can be smooth or rough with distinct protuberances, thick or thin, and pink-red, bright red or purple-red.
Fruits mature in 80-112 days, depending on climate, location, and cultivar. Fruits vary in shape from round to ovoid to heart-shaped. The thin, tough inedible skin is green when immature, ripening to red or pink-red, and is smooth or covered with small sharp protuberances. The skin turns brown and dry when left out after harvesting.
Some cultivars produce a high percentage of fruits with shriveled aborted seeds known as 'chicken tongues'. These fruit typically have a higher price, due to having more edible flesh.
+ The seeds
The fruit contain a single dark brown seed 6 to 12 mm wide and 10 to 23 mm long. Some cultivars have a high proportion of aborted seeds and thus a high flesh recovery. They are popular in the market-place, especially in Asia. There are a few cultivars that produce nearly seedless fruit, although the fruit usually weigh less than 10g.
+ The plants
Litchi chinensis is an evergreen tree reaching 10-28 metres (33-92 ft) tall with a short stocky trunk. The bark is grey-black, the branches a brownish-red.
In some cultivars, the branches are crooked or twisting and spreading forming a crown broader than high, while in other cultivars, the branches are fairly straight and upright forming a compact, rounded crown.
+ The leaves
The leaves are alternative and compound, with leaflets in 2-4 pairs. The leaves are 10 to 25 cm (3.9 to 9.8 in) or longer. The leaflets are oblong and 5 to 15 cm long.
Litchee have a similar foliage to the Lauraceae family likely due to convergent evolution. They are adapted by developing leaves that repel water, and are called laurophyll or lauroid leaves.
+ The flowers
Flowers grow on a terminal inflorescence with many panicles on the current season's growth. The panicles grow in clusters of ten or more, reaching 10 to 40 cm (3.9 to 15.7 in) or longer, holding hundreds of small white, yellow, or green flowers that are distinctively fragrant.
The inflorescences are many branched panicles, each with one or more leaves and up to 3,000 flowers, and from 5 to 80 fruit at harvest.
+ The fruits
The lychee bears fleshy fruits that are up to 5 cm long and 4 cm wide (2.0 in × 1.6 in), approximately 20g.
The skin can be smooth or rough with distinct protuberances, thick or thin, and pink-red, bright red or purple-red.
Fruits mature in 80-112 days, depending on climate, location, and cultivar. Fruits vary in shape from round to ovoid to heart-shaped. The thin, tough inedible skin is green when immature, ripening to red or pink-red, and is smooth or covered with small sharp protuberances. The skin turns brown and dry when left out after harvesting.
Some cultivars produce a high percentage of fruits with shriveled aborted seeds known as 'chicken tongues'. These fruit typically have a higher price, due to having more edible flesh.
+ The seeds
The fruit contain a single dark brown seed 6 to 12 mm wide and 10 to 23 mm long. Some cultivars have a high proportion of aborted seeds and thus a high flesh recovery. They are popular in the market-place, especially in Asia. There are a few cultivars that produce nearly seedless fruit, although the fruit usually weigh less than 10g.
Lychee flower
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Lychee tree with fruits
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Lychee fruits and seed
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2.2- Origin and Distribution
+ Origin
The lychee or litchi which belongs to the Sapindaceae or soapberry family originated in southern China and possibly in northern Vietnam and the Malay Peninsula.
+ Distribution
Lychee trees grow wild in abundance on Hainan Island near northern Vietnam mainly at an elevation of 600 to 800 m, and below 500 m in hilly areas in Leizhou Peninsula, in the west of Guangdong and the east of Guangxi.
The natural distribution of wild lychee is from south of Shiwan Mountains, Liu Wan Mountains, Yunkai Mountains to Hainan Island. Wild lychees are a major species in several lowland rainforest areas of Hainan Island and may account for 50% of the virgin forest composition.
The lychee was introduced to the tropical and subtropical world from the end of the 17th century and now is found situated within 15-35° latitude in most countries. Large commercial industries have developed in Taiwan, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Madagascar and South Africa. There is substantial interest in the crop in Australia, Mauritius, Reunion, Spain, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States.
+ Origin
The lychee or litchi which belongs to the Sapindaceae or soapberry family originated in southern China and possibly in northern Vietnam and the Malay Peninsula.
+ Distribution
Lychee trees grow wild in abundance on Hainan Island near northern Vietnam mainly at an elevation of 600 to 800 m, and below 500 m in hilly areas in Leizhou Peninsula, in the west of Guangdong and the east of Guangxi.
The natural distribution of wild lychee is from south of Shiwan Mountains, Liu Wan Mountains, Yunkai Mountains to Hainan Island. Wild lychees are a major species in several lowland rainforest areas of Hainan Island and may account for 50% of the virgin forest composition.
The lychee was introduced to the tropical and subtropical world from the end of the 17th century and now is found situated within 15-35° latitude in most countries. Large commercial industries have developed in Taiwan, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Madagascar and South Africa. There is substantial interest in the crop in Australia, Mauritius, Reunion, Spain, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Mexico and the United States.
Map of Litchi chinensis (Lychee)
2.3- Biological characteristics
+ Ecology
- Climate
In China and India, it is grown between 15° and 30° N.
Heavy frosts will kill young trees but mature trees can withstand light frosts. Cold tolerance of the lychee is intermediate between that of the sweet orange on one hand and mango and avocado on the other. Location, land slope, and proximity to bodies of water can make a great difference in degree of damage by freezing weather.
Heavy rain or fog during the flowering period is detrimental, as are hot, dry, strong winds which cause shedding of flowers, also splitting of the fruit skin. Splitting occurs, too, during spells of alternating rain and hot, dry periods, especially on the sunny side of the tree. Spraying with Ethephon at 10 ppm reduced splitting in 'Early Large Red' in experiments in Nepal.
- Soil
The lychee grows well on a wide range of soils. In China it is cultivated in sandy or clayey loam, "river mud", moist sandy clay, and even heavy clay. The pH should be between 6 and 7. If the soil is deficient in lime, this must be added. However, in an early experiment in a greenhouse in Washington, D.C., seedlings planted in acid soil showed superior growth and the roots had many nodules filled with mycorrhizal fungi. This caused some to speculate that inoculation might be desirable. Later, in Florida, profuse nodulation was observed on roots of lychee seedlings that had not been inoculated but merely grown in pots of sphagnum moss and given a well-balanced nutrient solution.
The lychee attains maximum growth and productivity on deep alluvial loam but flourishes in extreme southern Florida on oolitic limestone providing it is put in an adequate hole and irrigated in dry seasons.
The Chinese often plant the lychee on the banks of ponds and streams. In low, wet land, they dig ditches 3-4.5 m (10 to 15 ft) wide and 9-12 m (30 to 40 ft) apart, using the excavated soil to form raised beds on which they plant lychee trees, so that they have perfect drainage but the soil is always moist. Though the lychee has a high water requirement, it cannot stand water-logging. The water table should be at least 1.2-1.8 m (4 to 6 ft) below the surface and the underground water should be moving inasmuch as stagnant water induces root rot. The lychee can stand occasionally brief flooding better than citrus. It will not thrive under saline conditions.
+ Ecology
- Climate
In China and India, it is grown between 15° and 30° N.
Heavy frosts will kill young trees but mature trees can withstand light frosts. Cold tolerance of the lychee is intermediate between that of the sweet orange on one hand and mango and avocado on the other. Location, land slope, and proximity to bodies of water can make a great difference in degree of damage by freezing weather.
Heavy rain or fog during the flowering period is detrimental, as are hot, dry, strong winds which cause shedding of flowers, also splitting of the fruit skin. Splitting occurs, too, during spells of alternating rain and hot, dry periods, especially on the sunny side of the tree. Spraying with Ethephon at 10 ppm reduced splitting in 'Early Large Red' in experiments in Nepal.
- Soil
The lychee grows well on a wide range of soils. In China it is cultivated in sandy or clayey loam, "river mud", moist sandy clay, and even heavy clay. The pH should be between 6 and 7. If the soil is deficient in lime, this must be added. However, in an early experiment in a greenhouse in Washington, D.C., seedlings planted in acid soil showed superior growth and the roots had many nodules filled with mycorrhizal fungi. This caused some to speculate that inoculation might be desirable. Later, in Florida, profuse nodulation was observed on roots of lychee seedlings that had not been inoculated but merely grown in pots of sphagnum moss and given a well-balanced nutrient solution.
The lychee attains maximum growth and productivity on deep alluvial loam but flourishes in extreme southern Florida on oolitic limestone providing it is put in an adequate hole and irrigated in dry seasons.
The Chinese often plant the lychee on the banks of ponds and streams. In low, wet land, they dig ditches 3-4.5 m (10 to 15 ft) wide and 9-12 m (30 to 40 ft) apart, using the excavated soil to form raised beds on which they plant lychee trees, so that they have perfect drainage but the soil is always moist. Though the lychee has a high water requirement, it cannot stand water-logging. The water table should be at least 1.2-1.8 m (4 to 6 ft) below the surface and the underground water should be moving inasmuch as stagnant water induces root rot. The lychee can stand occasionally brief flooding better than citrus. It will not thrive under saline conditions.
+ Blooming and Pollination
There are 3 types of flowers appearing in irregular sequence or, at times, simultaneously, in the lychee inflorescence: a) male; b) hermaphrodite, fruiting as female (about 30% of the total); c) hermaphrodite fruiting as male. The latter tend to possess the most viable pollen. Many of the flowers have defective pollen and this fact probably is the main cause of the abortive seeds and also the common problem of shedding of young fruits. The flowers require transfer of pollen by insects.
In India, L.B. Singh recorded 11 species of bees, flies, wasps and other insects as visiting lychee flowers for nectar.
A 6-week survey in Florida revealed 27 species of lychee-flower visitors, representing 6 different insect Orders. Most abundant, morning and afternoon, was the secondary screw-worm fly (Callitroga macellaria), an undesirable pest. Next was the imported honeybee (Apis mellifera) seeking nectar daily but only during the morning and apparently not interested in the pollen. No wild bees were seen on the lychee flowers, though wild bees were found in large numbers collecting pollen in an adjacent fruit-tree planting a few weeks later. Third in order, but not abundant, was the soldier beetle (Chauliognathus marginatus). The rest of the insect visitors were present only in insignificant number. Maintenance of bee hives in Florida lychee groves is necessary to enhance fruit set and development. The fruits mature 2 months after flowering.
There are 3 types of flowers appearing in irregular sequence or, at times, simultaneously, in the lychee inflorescence: a) male; b) hermaphrodite, fruiting as female (about 30% of the total); c) hermaphrodite fruiting as male. The latter tend to possess the most viable pollen. Many of the flowers have defective pollen and this fact probably is the main cause of the abortive seeds and also the common problem of shedding of young fruits. The flowers require transfer of pollen by insects.
In India, L.B. Singh recorded 11 species of bees, flies, wasps and other insects as visiting lychee flowers for nectar.
A 6-week survey in Florida revealed 27 species of lychee-flower visitors, representing 6 different insect Orders. Most abundant, morning and afternoon, was the secondary screw-worm fly (Callitroga macellaria), an undesirable pest. Next was the imported honeybee (Apis mellifera) seeking nectar daily but only during the morning and apparently not interested in the pollen. No wild bees were seen on the lychee flowers, though wild bees were found in large numbers collecting pollen in an adjacent fruit-tree planting a few weeks later. Third in order, but not abundant, was the soldier beetle (Chauliognathus marginatus). The rest of the insect visitors were present only in insignificant number. Maintenance of bee hives in Florida lychee groves is necessary to enhance fruit set and development. The fruits mature 2 months after flowering.
+ Phytochemicals
Lychees have moderate amounts of polyphenols, shown in one French study to be higher than several other fruits analyzed, such as grapes and apples. For phenolic composition, flavan-3-ol monomers and dimers were the major compounds representing about 87% of total polyphenols that declined in content during storage or browning. Cyanidin-3-glucoside represented 92% of total anthocyanins. Lychee contains oligonol, a short-chain polyphenol under preliminary evaluation for its potential biological properties.
Lychees have moderate amounts of polyphenols, shown in one French study to be higher than several other fruits analyzed, such as grapes and apples. For phenolic composition, flavan-3-ol monomers and dimers were the major compounds representing about 87% of total polyphenols that declined in content during storage or browning. Cyanidin-3-glucoside represented 92% of total anthocyanins. Lychee contains oligonol, a short-chain polyphenol under preliminary evaluation for its potential biological properties.
2.4- Nutrition
+ Introduction
Fresh whole lychee contains a total 72 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit, an amount representing 86% of the Daily Value (DV). On average, consuming nine peeled lychee fruits would meet an adult’s daily vitamin C requirement but otherwise would supply little nutrient content (see table). Lychees are low in saturated fat and sodium.
- Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) of Lychees, raw
+ Introduction
Fresh whole lychee contains a total 72 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of fruit, an amount representing 86% of the Daily Value (DV). On average, consuming nine peeled lychee fruits would meet an adult’s daily vitamin C requirement but otherwise would supply little nutrient content (see table). Lychees are low in saturated fat and sodium.
- Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) of Lychees, raw
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276 kJ (66 kcal)
16.53 g 15.23 g 1.3 g 0.44 g 0.83 g : 0.011 mg (1%) 0.065 mg (5%) 0.603 mg (4%) 0.1 mg (8%) 14 μg (4%) 71.5 mg (86%) : 5 mg (1%) 0.13 mg (1%) 10 mg (3%) 0.055 mg (3%) 31 mg (4%) 171 mg (4%) 1 mg (0%) 0.07 mg (1%) |
Note!
+ Units: μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams * IU = International units
+ Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database - Link to USDA Database entry
+ Units: μg = micrograms • mg = milligrams * IU = International units
+ Percentages are roughly approximated using US recommendations for adults.
Source: USDA Nutrient Database - Link to USDA Database entry
+ Other source of Nutritional value
The composition of the fruit determined from studies in Australia was (per 100 g fresh weight): moisture, 81 percent; protein, 1.1 g; fat, 0.1 g; carbohydrate, 18 g; Ca, 2 mg; Fe, 0.5 mg; thiamin, 0.05 mg; riboflavin, 0.07 mg; niacin, 0.5 mg; and ascorbic acid, 49 mg. The total soluble sugar content was 18 percent or higher.
Food Value Per 100 g of Edible Portion*
*According to analyses made in China, India and the Philippines.
The composition of the fruit determined from studies in Australia was (per 100 g fresh weight): moisture, 81 percent; protein, 1.1 g; fat, 0.1 g; carbohydrate, 18 g; Ca, 2 mg; Fe, 0.5 mg; thiamin, 0.05 mg; riboflavin, 0.07 mg; niacin, 0.5 mg; and ascorbic acid, 49 mg. The total soluble sugar content was 18 percent or higher.
Food Value Per 100 g of Edible Portion*
*According to analyses made in China, India and the Philippines.
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Nutritional value
Calories Moisture Protein Fat Carbohydrates Fiber Ash Calcium Phosphorus Iron Sodium Potassium Thiamine Nicotinic Acid Riboflavin Ascorbic Acid |
Fresh
63-64 81.9-84.83% 0.68-1.0 g 0.3-0.58 g 13.31-16.4 g 0.23-0.4 g 0.37-0.5 g 8-10 mg 30-42 mg 0.4 mg 3 mg 170 mg 28 mcg 0.4 mg 0.05 mg 24-60 mg |
Dried
277 17.90-22.3% 2.90-3.8 g 0.20-1.2 g 70.7-77.5 g 1.4 g 1.5-2.0 g 33 mg - 1.7 mg 3 mg 1,100 mg - - 0.05 mg 42 mg |
2.5- Health Benefits of Lychee fruits
+ Overview
Lychee is really a succulent fresh fruit within the soapberry family. It’s really a exotic fruit tree, broadly seen in southern China, southern Taiwan, northern Vietnam, Indonesia as well as the Philippines. India also offers lychee like a in season summer time fruit. The fruit develops on an evergreen tree, along with pinnate leaves. It’s really a drupe, outwardly protected by a pink-red rough textured skin, effortlessly extractible. Lychee consists of fairly sweet layered white-colored flesh, covering a brown colored seed. The flavor relatively is similar to that of grapes and is particularly very delicious. In addition to its fairly sweet as well as tangy taste, Lychee has substantial health advantages.
+ The Health Benefits of eating Lychee
1. Oligonol:
Oligonol, a trademarked ingredient from lychee fruit, would be the world’s very first industrially created low molecular weight polyphenol and it has been scientifically proven to have got exceptional bioavailability as well as effectiveness.
Oligonol is surely a shortened title produced from “Oligomer Polyphenol”. Oligomer usually is the term for a polymer which has a relatively reduced molecular weight (monomer, dimer as well as trimer).
Scientific testing on people have demonstrated that Oligonol decreases deep fat, raises side-line blood circulation, decreases post-exercise exhaustion, raises stamina as well as reduces facial lines as well as brown spots.
2. Prevents growth of cancer cells:
Cancer is actually a problem in which irregular cells separate without control or even are not able to die as an element of an ordinary cell’s lifecycle. Cancer cells may also invade close by tissues and may distribute throughout the blood stream as well as the lymphatic system to many other areas of the body.
Lychees is actually Natural Cancer Treatment, it helps prevent the development of cancer cells as retain the flavones quercetin as well as kaempferol as effective substances in cutting the expansion of cancer cells. It helps prevent the Breast as well as cancer of the prostate.
Lychees consist of a lot more Beta-carotene as compared to carrots. The anti-oxidant combat against most cancers.
3. Lowers risk of heart disease:
The heart would be the center of the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular disease is definitely an umbrella term for just about any kind of condition which has an effect on the heart. Cardiovascular disease signifies just like cardiac illness although not coronary disease. Coronary disease is the term for problems of the blood vessels as well as heart, whilst cardiovascular disease is the term for only the heart.
The Journal of Nutrition found that lychee fruit has got the second-highest degree of polyphenols, which usually promoted heart health, of all fruits examined. Lychees have got nearly 15% a lot more polyphenols as compared to grapes (which are generally regarded as the key method of obtaining polyphenols).
Oligonol(R) also has proven enhanced cardio performance. Lychees consist of a lot more Beta-carotene when compared with carrots. The anti-oxidant offers numerous health advantages, which includes improving immunity, slowing down the advancement of cataracts, as well as blocking cardiovascular disease as well as most cancers.
4. Fight colds and sore throat and boost up the immune system:
The defense mechanism safeguards the body from perhaps dangerous ingredients simply by realizing as well as responding to antigens. Antigens are usually ingredients (generally healthy proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or even bacteria. Nonliving ingredients just like harmful toxins, chemical substances, drugs, as well as unusual contaminants (say for example a splinter) may also be antigens. The defense mechanism acknowledges as well as damages ingredients which contain antigens.
If our immune system is vulnerable then we have problems with the various types of illnesses just like cold flu, a sore throat and so on.
The fruit is really an abundant method of obtaining vitamin C. It includes 40 % a lot more vitamin C as compared to orange juice. A 100 gram offering supplies about 70 mg, or even 117 % of the suggested every day worth. Foods full of vitamin C assist to increase the human body’s immunity. They assist the body to build up a greater resistance to bacterial infections. Frequent usage of lychee fruit can easily avoid regular common colds, flu virus as well as a sore throat. It may also help to ease inflammation and pain.
5. Helps with Weight loss:
Reducing your weight consists of consuming balanced and healthy diet as well as doing exercises. Consuming a number of fruits is effective for the entire body. Fruits supply the important vitamins which the body requires. There are numerous fruits which can be consumed to help you shed weight. Consuming fruits which contain a great deal of water will fill up your stomach, decreasing the requirement for higher calorie food.
Lychee fruits are generally lower in calories, consists of no saturated fats or even cholesterol levels, yet full of soluble fiber which usually, can be quite essential for people who are worried about their excessive bodyweight.
Oligonol, a minimal molecular weight polyphenol discovered generously within lychee fruit. Oligonol has been discovered to have a number of Anti-oxidant, Anti-influenza virus actions. Additionally, it will help enhance blood circulation within organs, shed extra pounds.
+ Overview
Lychee is really a succulent fresh fruit within the soapberry family. It’s really a exotic fruit tree, broadly seen in southern China, southern Taiwan, northern Vietnam, Indonesia as well as the Philippines. India also offers lychee like a in season summer time fruit. The fruit develops on an evergreen tree, along with pinnate leaves. It’s really a drupe, outwardly protected by a pink-red rough textured skin, effortlessly extractible. Lychee consists of fairly sweet layered white-colored flesh, covering a brown colored seed. The flavor relatively is similar to that of grapes and is particularly very delicious. In addition to its fairly sweet as well as tangy taste, Lychee has substantial health advantages.
+ The Health Benefits of eating Lychee
1. Oligonol:
Oligonol, a trademarked ingredient from lychee fruit, would be the world’s very first industrially created low molecular weight polyphenol and it has been scientifically proven to have got exceptional bioavailability as well as effectiveness.
Oligonol is surely a shortened title produced from “Oligomer Polyphenol”. Oligomer usually is the term for a polymer which has a relatively reduced molecular weight (monomer, dimer as well as trimer).
Scientific testing on people have demonstrated that Oligonol decreases deep fat, raises side-line blood circulation, decreases post-exercise exhaustion, raises stamina as well as reduces facial lines as well as brown spots.
2. Prevents growth of cancer cells:
Cancer is actually a problem in which irregular cells separate without control or even are not able to die as an element of an ordinary cell’s lifecycle. Cancer cells may also invade close by tissues and may distribute throughout the blood stream as well as the lymphatic system to many other areas of the body.
Lychees is actually Natural Cancer Treatment, it helps prevent the development of cancer cells as retain the flavones quercetin as well as kaempferol as effective substances in cutting the expansion of cancer cells. It helps prevent the Breast as well as cancer of the prostate.
Lychees consist of a lot more Beta-carotene as compared to carrots. The anti-oxidant combat against most cancers.
3. Lowers risk of heart disease:
The heart would be the center of the cardiovascular system. Cardiovascular disease is definitely an umbrella term for just about any kind of condition which has an effect on the heart. Cardiovascular disease signifies just like cardiac illness although not coronary disease. Coronary disease is the term for problems of the blood vessels as well as heart, whilst cardiovascular disease is the term for only the heart.
The Journal of Nutrition found that lychee fruit has got the second-highest degree of polyphenols, which usually promoted heart health, of all fruits examined. Lychees have got nearly 15% a lot more polyphenols as compared to grapes (which are generally regarded as the key method of obtaining polyphenols).
Oligonol(R) also has proven enhanced cardio performance. Lychees consist of a lot more Beta-carotene when compared with carrots. The anti-oxidant offers numerous health advantages, which includes improving immunity, slowing down the advancement of cataracts, as well as blocking cardiovascular disease as well as most cancers.
4. Fight colds and sore throat and boost up the immune system:
The defense mechanism safeguards the body from perhaps dangerous ingredients simply by realizing as well as responding to antigens. Antigens are usually ingredients (generally healthy proteins) on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or even bacteria. Nonliving ingredients just like harmful toxins, chemical substances, drugs, as well as unusual contaminants (say for example a splinter) may also be antigens. The defense mechanism acknowledges as well as damages ingredients which contain antigens.
If our immune system is vulnerable then we have problems with the various types of illnesses just like cold flu, a sore throat and so on.
The fruit is really an abundant method of obtaining vitamin C. It includes 40 % a lot more vitamin C as compared to orange juice. A 100 gram offering supplies about 70 mg, or even 117 % of the suggested every day worth. Foods full of vitamin C assist to increase the human body’s immunity. They assist the body to build up a greater resistance to bacterial infections. Frequent usage of lychee fruit can easily avoid regular common colds, flu virus as well as a sore throat. It may also help to ease inflammation and pain.
5. Helps with Weight loss:
Reducing your weight consists of consuming balanced and healthy diet as well as doing exercises. Consuming a number of fruits is effective for the entire body. Fruits supply the important vitamins which the body requires. There are numerous fruits which can be consumed to help you shed weight. Consuming fruits which contain a great deal of water will fill up your stomach, decreasing the requirement for higher calorie food.
Lychee fruits are generally lower in calories, consists of no saturated fats or even cholesterol levels, yet full of soluble fiber which usually, can be quite essential for people who are worried about their excessive bodyweight.
Oligonol, a minimal molecular weight polyphenol discovered generously within lychee fruit. Oligonol has been discovered to have a number of Anti-oxidant, Anti-influenza virus actions. Additionally, it will help enhance blood circulation within organs, shed extra pounds.
6. Good for gastrointestinal health
The digestive or even gastrointestinal intestinal system, which is also referred to as gut, is essential for a lot of causes. Difficulties with it might result not just in one of the numerous digestive system problems, but in addition to health problems in almost any system of the entire body, just like the central nervous system or even the defense mechanisms. The reasons just for this can become obvious as we discover the digestive system.
The seed contained in this particular fresh fruit is astringent and is also utilized for intestinal tract problems and also to be free from the body of intestinal worms. Differing parts of the lychee tree will also be recommended for slight Diarrhea, gastralgia as well as stomach ulcers. Lychee flesh is recognized as an excellent antacid. It really is utilized to deal with Higher acidity, nausea as well as dyspepsia.
7. Acts as an Aphrodisiac:
Aphrodisiacs assist to increase or even stimulate sexual interest. Although there’s no definitive medical proof assisting aphrodisiac qualities, numerous cultural traditions assume that particular foods, just like fruits, can easily improve as well as excite your sexual hunger. Thankfully, fruits may also be good for your overall health and may even dually enhance your sex life along with your well-being.
Lychee includes a long-standing custom in Chinese culture just as one aphrodisiac, in accordance with Nick Ray within his book “Cambodia.” Lychee is usually pressed in a sweet-tasting wine to obtain its sexual improvement capabilities, Ray states. These types of unusual fruits look like oversize chestnuts which has a milky, gentle interior which has a demure sweet taste. Although there’s no conclusive substance within lychee which could be the cause of its aphrodisiac status, it features an abundant quantity of vitamin C, potassium as well as copper favorable to the healthy body.
8. High in copper and potassium:
Lychee also includes an excellent quantity of minerals just like potassium as well as copper. Potassium is a crucial element of cell and the entire body fluids help manage heart rate as well as Blood pressure level; therefore provides safety from Heart stroke as well as Coronary Heart Diseases. Copper is needed in the manufacture of red blood cells
9. Cures Constipation:
Typically, the colon soaks up extreme water through food throughout digestion. Whenever food moves too gradually, the colon soaks up too much water, leading to difficult, dry stool as well as bowel problems.
In young kids, bowel problems might result from becoming scared or even not wanting to make use of the toilet, or even slowing down a bowel movement as soon as the desire is felt, which could in addition appear in grown-ups.
Simply because Lychees consist of soluble fiber, they are able to assist with digestion and stop bowel problems. Moreover, they assist in keeping the stomach free from toxic compounds and may in addition help clean the colon.
10. Prevents anemia:
As soon as the quantity of red blood cells or even levels of hemoglobin are lower an individual is believed to have Anemia. Hemoglobin is usually a necessary protein (metalloprotein) within the red blood cells which contains iron as well as transports oxygen.
Anemia is regarded as the typical problem of the blood. It really is a lot more frequent in developing countries, particularly in very poor locations where individuals have problems with lack of nutrition. In several areas of Africa serious anemia is additionally brought on by Malaria.
Lychees are definitely the abundant supply of copper that is significantly required for the development os RBC (Red Blood Cells).
11. Helps fight stress:
Stress is usually a sensation which is produced whenever we respond to specific occasions. It is the human body’s method of increasing to the problem as well as getting ready to fulfill a difficult scenario with concentration, power, endurance, as well as increased alertness.
The events which induce tension are known as stressors, plus they include a whole selection of circumstances - anything from downright physical danger to make a class presentation or even getting a semester’s price of your most difficult subject.
The B group of vitamins is just not generally present in fruits. A single serving of lychee can easily provide an abundant supply of vitamin B6, one of the so-called anti-stress nutritional vitamins.
12. Maintain healthy bones:
Bone is definitely the thick, semi rigid, permeable, calcified connective tissue developing the main area of the skeleton on most vertebrates. It includes a lustrous natural matrix as well as an inorganic, mineral component. It really is mortal. It will be the promoter of the entire body.
Litchi can also be a wealthy source of phosphorus as well as magnesium which will help to support powerful bones, as well as the trace minerals copper as well as manganese.
Lychee is probably the very few fruits abundant with copper. Along with zinc , copper boosts the effectiveness of Vitamin D, which usually increases the assimilation of calcium.
Source: Lychee nutrition facts and health benefits
The digestive or even gastrointestinal intestinal system, which is also referred to as gut, is essential for a lot of causes. Difficulties with it might result not just in one of the numerous digestive system problems, but in addition to health problems in almost any system of the entire body, just like the central nervous system or even the defense mechanisms. The reasons just for this can become obvious as we discover the digestive system.
The seed contained in this particular fresh fruit is astringent and is also utilized for intestinal tract problems and also to be free from the body of intestinal worms. Differing parts of the lychee tree will also be recommended for slight Diarrhea, gastralgia as well as stomach ulcers. Lychee flesh is recognized as an excellent antacid. It really is utilized to deal with Higher acidity, nausea as well as dyspepsia.
7. Acts as an Aphrodisiac:
Aphrodisiacs assist to increase or even stimulate sexual interest. Although there’s no definitive medical proof assisting aphrodisiac qualities, numerous cultural traditions assume that particular foods, just like fruits, can easily improve as well as excite your sexual hunger. Thankfully, fruits may also be good for your overall health and may even dually enhance your sex life along with your well-being.
Lychee includes a long-standing custom in Chinese culture just as one aphrodisiac, in accordance with Nick Ray within his book “Cambodia.” Lychee is usually pressed in a sweet-tasting wine to obtain its sexual improvement capabilities, Ray states. These types of unusual fruits look like oversize chestnuts which has a milky, gentle interior which has a demure sweet taste. Although there’s no conclusive substance within lychee which could be the cause of its aphrodisiac status, it features an abundant quantity of vitamin C, potassium as well as copper favorable to the healthy body.
8. High in copper and potassium:
Lychee also includes an excellent quantity of minerals just like potassium as well as copper. Potassium is a crucial element of cell and the entire body fluids help manage heart rate as well as Blood pressure level; therefore provides safety from Heart stroke as well as Coronary Heart Diseases. Copper is needed in the manufacture of red blood cells
9. Cures Constipation:
Typically, the colon soaks up extreme water through food throughout digestion. Whenever food moves too gradually, the colon soaks up too much water, leading to difficult, dry stool as well as bowel problems.
In young kids, bowel problems might result from becoming scared or even not wanting to make use of the toilet, or even slowing down a bowel movement as soon as the desire is felt, which could in addition appear in grown-ups.
Simply because Lychees consist of soluble fiber, they are able to assist with digestion and stop bowel problems. Moreover, they assist in keeping the stomach free from toxic compounds and may in addition help clean the colon.
10. Prevents anemia:
As soon as the quantity of red blood cells or even levels of hemoglobin are lower an individual is believed to have Anemia. Hemoglobin is usually a necessary protein (metalloprotein) within the red blood cells which contains iron as well as transports oxygen.
Anemia is regarded as the typical problem of the blood. It really is a lot more frequent in developing countries, particularly in very poor locations where individuals have problems with lack of nutrition. In several areas of Africa serious anemia is additionally brought on by Malaria.
Lychees are definitely the abundant supply of copper that is significantly required for the development os RBC (Red Blood Cells).
11. Helps fight stress:
Stress is usually a sensation which is produced whenever we respond to specific occasions. It is the human body’s method of increasing to the problem as well as getting ready to fulfill a difficult scenario with concentration, power, endurance, as well as increased alertness.
The events which induce tension are known as stressors, plus they include a whole selection of circumstances - anything from downright physical danger to make a class presentation or even getting a semester’s price of your most difficult subject.
The B group of vitamins is just not generally present in fruits. A single serving of lychee can easily provide an abundant supply of vitamin B6, one of the so-called anti-stress nutritional vitamins.
12. Maintain healthy bones:
Bone is definitely the thick, semi rigid, permeable, calcified connective tissue developing the main area of the skeleton on most vertebrates. It includes a lustrous natural matrix as well as an inorganic, mineral component. It really is mortal. It will be the promoter of the entire body.
Litchi can also be a wealthy source of phosphorus as well as magnesium which will help to support powerful bones, as well as the trace minerals copper as well as manganese.
Lychee is probably the very few fruits abundant with copper. Along with zinc , copper boosts the effectiveness of Vitamin D, which usually increases the assimilation of calcium.
Source: Lychee nutrition facts and health benefits
3- The Uses of Lychee fruits
3.1- Food Uses
Lychees are eaten fresh or dried, but canned lychees have become very popular.
+ Used as fresh fruits
Lychees are commonly sold fresh in Asian markets, and in recent years, also widely in supermarkets worldwide.
Lychees are most relished fresh, out-of-hand. Peeled and pitted, they are commonly added to fruit cups and fruit salads. Lychees stuffed with cottage cheese are served as salad topped with dressing and pecans. Or the fruit may be stuffed with a blend of cream cheese and mayonnaise, or stuffed with pecan meats, and garnished with whipped cream.
Sliced lychees, congealed in lime gelatin, are served on lettuce with whipped cream or mayonnaise. The fruits may be layered with pistachio ice cream and whipped cream in parfait glasses, as dessert.
Halved lychees have been placed on top of ham during the last hour of baking, or grilled on top of steak.
Pureed lychees are added to ice cream mix. Sherbet is made by extracting the juice from fresh, seeded lychees and adding it to a mixture of prepared plain gelatin, hot milk, light cream, sugar and a little lemon juice, and freezing.
The red rind turns dark brown when the fruit is refrigerated, but the taste is not affected. It is also sold canned year-round. The fruit can be dried with the rind intact, at which point the flesh shrinks and darkens. Dried lychees are often called lychee nuts, though they are not a real nut.
How to eat fresh lychee
Wash off the outside of the lychee.
Puncture the rough shell in a single of 3 ways: cut a little area of the shell together with your finger nail, make use of your teeth to bite a tiny part off nearby the stem or even make use of a knife to cut the shell.
Squeeze the exterior of the pierced shell so the internal flesh pops into your mouth.
Very carefully gnaw the flesh off of the seed. Throw out the seed as well as peel.
Lychees are eaten fresh or dried, but canned lychees have become very popular.
+ Used as fresh fruits
Lychees are commonly sold fresh in Asian markets, and in recent years, also widely in supermarkets worldwide.
Lychees are most relished fresh, out-of-hand. Peeled and pitted, they are commonly added to fruit cups and fruit salads. Lychees stuffed with cottage cheese are served as salad topped with dressing and pecans. Or the fruit may be stuffed with a blend of cream cheese and mayonnaise, or stuffed with pecan meats, and garnished with whipped cream.
Sliced lychees, congealed in lime gelatin, are served on lettuce with whipped cream or mayonnaise. The fruits may be layered with pistachio ice cream and whipped cream in parfait glasses, as dessert.
Halved lychees have been placed on top of ham during the last hour of baking, or grilled on top of steak.
Pureed lychees are added to ice cream mix. Sherbet is made by extracting the juice from fresh, seeded lychees and adding it to a mixture of prepared plain gelatin, hot milk, light cream, sugar and a little lemon juice, and freezing.
The red rind turns dark brown when the fruit is refrigerated, but the taste is not affected. It is also sold canned year-round. The fruit can be dried with the rind intact, at which point the flesh shrinks and darkens. Dried lychees are often called lychee nuts, though they are not a real nut.
How to eat fresh lychee
Wash off the outside of the lychee.
Puncture the rough shell in a single of 3 ways: cut a little area of the shell together with your finger nail, make use of your teeth to bite a tiny part off nearby the stem or even make use of a knife to cut the shell.
Squeeze the exterior of the pierced shell so the internal flesh pops into your mouth.
Very carefully gnaw the flesh off of the seed. Throw out the seed as well as peel.
+ Canned lychees
- Description
Canned lychees are peeled, seedless lychees in syrup. The usual ingredients are water, lychee, sugar and citric acid. The creamy white flesh is juicy, smooth and delicately sweet. 1-2" in diameter. The lychee or laichi and lichu is the sole member of the genus Litchi in the soapberry family It is a fragranced fruit with a sweet taste. The inside consists of a layer of sweet, translucent white flesh, rich in vitamin C, with a texture somewhat similar to that of a grape only much less moist. The specifications for Canned Litchi include Brix : 14-17 (Light Syrup), 17-20 (Heavy Syrup), and it may be either Whole or Broken. Pour a can of lychees into a bowl and it can be relished as it is or as drinks, in icecreams , cakes or cold salads.
Peeled, seeded lychees are canned in sugar sirup in India and China and have been exported from China for many years. Browning, or pink discoloration, of the flesh is prevented by the addition of 4% tartaric acid solution, or by using 30º Brix sirup containing 0.1% to 0.15% citric acid to achieve a pH of about 4.5, processing for a maximum of 10 minutes in boiling water, and chilling immediately.
- How to select
Select the cans, which are not bulging, leaking or rusted. The lychees should be white, soft and the sugar sysrup should be clear. Any foul smelling odour or cloudiness in the syrup would indicate spoilage and hence should be discarded.
- Culinary Uses
1- Canned lychees can be relished any time of the year with other fruits in ice creams, custards or as cocktails.
2- These make up for great salads with veggies or can be served with cream or yoghurts as desserts.
3- Lychee iced tea and lemonades are also common.
- How to store
An unopened can may be stored upto six months of packaging. Once opened, transfer the lychees along with the syrup in a glass bowl and refrigerate. It should be consumed within 2-3 days.
Source: http://www.tarladalal.com/glossary-canned-lychees-972i
- Description
Canned lychees are peeled, seedless lychees in syrup. The usual ingredients are water, lychee, sugar and citric acid. The creamy white flesh is juicy, smooth and delicately sweet. 1-2" in diameter. The lychee or laichi and lichu is the sole member of the genus Litchi in the soapberry family It is a fragranced fruit with a sweet taste. The inside consists of a layer of sweet, translucent white flesh, rich in vitamin C, with a texture somewhat similar to that of a grape only much less moist. The specifications for Canned Litchi include Brix : 14-17 (Light Syrup), 17-20 (Heavy Syrup), and it may be either Whole or Broken. Pour a can of lychees into a bowl and it can be relished as it is or as drinks, in icecreams , cakes or cold salads.
Peeled, seeded lychees are canned in sugar sirup in India and China and have been exported from China for many years. Browning, or pink discoloration, of the flesh is prevented by the addition of 4% tartaric acid solution, or by using 30º Brix sirup containing 0.1% to 0.15% citric acid to achieve a pH of about 4.5, processing for a maximum of 10 minutes in boiling water, and chilling immediately.
- How to select
Select the cans, which are not bulging, leaking or rusted. The lychees should be white, soft and the sugar sysrup should be clear. Any foul smelling odour or cloudiness in the syrup would indicate spoilage and hence should be discarded.
- Culinary Uses
1- Canned lychees can be relished any time of the year with other fruits in ice creams, custards or as cocktails.
2- These make up for great salads with veggies or can be served with cream or yoghurts as desserts.
3- Lychee iced tea and lemonades are also common.
- How to store
An unopened can may be stored upto six months of packaging. Once opened, transfer the lychees along with the syrup in a glass bowl and refrigerate. It should be consumed within 2-3 days.
Source: http://www.tarladalal.com/glossary-canned-lychees-972i
+ Drying of Lychees
Lychees dehydrate naturally. The skin loses its original color, becomes cinnamon-brown, and turns brittle. The flesh turns dark-brown to nearly black as it shrivels and becomes very much like a raisin. The skin of 'Kwai Mi' becomes very tough when dried; that of 'Madras' less so. The fruits will dry perfectly if clusters are merely hung in a closed, air-conditioned room.
In China, lychees are preferably dried in the sun on hanging wire trays and brought inside at night and during showers. Some are dried by means of brick stoves during humid weather.
When exports of dried fruits from China to the United States were suspended, India welcomed the opportunity to supply the market. Experimental drying involved preliminary disinfection by immersing the fruits in 0.5% copper sulphate solution for 2 minutes. Sun-drying on coir-mesh trays took 15 days and the results were good except that thin-skinned fruits tended to crack. It was found that shade-drying for 2 days before full exposure to the sun prevented cracking.
Electric-oven drying of single layers arranged in tiers, at 50º-65º C (122º to 140º F), requires only 4 days. Hot-air-blast at 70º C (160º F) dries seedless fruits in 48 hours. Fire-oven and vacuum-oven drying were found unsatisfactory. Florida researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of drying untreated lychees at 120º F (48.8º C) with free-stream air flow rates above 35 CMF/f2. Drying at higher temperatures gave the fruits a bitter flavor.
The best quality and light color of flesh instead of dark-brown is achieved by first blanching in boiling water for 5 minutes, immersing in a solution of 2% potassium metabisulphite for 48 hours, and dipping in citric acid prior to drying.
Dried fruits can be stored in tins at room temperature for about a year with no change in texture or flavor.
Lychees dehydrate naturally. The skin loses its original color, becomes cinnamon-brown, and turns brittle. The flesh turns dark-brown to nearly black as it shrivels and becomes very much like a raisin. The skin of 'Kwai Mi' becomes very tough when dried; that of 'Madras' less so. The fruits will dry perfectly if clusters are merely hung in a closed, air-conditioned room.
In China, lychees are preferably dried in the sun on hanging wire trays and brought inside at night and during showers. Some are dried by means of brick stoves during humid weather.
When exports of dried fruits from China to the United States were suspended, India welcomed the opportunity to supply the market. Experimental drying involved preliminary disinfection by immersing the fruits in 0.5% copper sulphate solution for 2 minutes. Sun-drying on coir-mesh trays took 15 days and the results were good except that thin-skinned fruits tended to crack. It was found that shade-drying for 2 days before full exposure to the sun prevented cracking.
Electric-oven drying of single layers arranged in tiers, at 50º-65º C (122º to 140º F), requires only 4 days. Hot-air-blast at 70º C (160º F) dries seedless fruits in 48 hours. Fire-oven and vacuum-oven drying were found unsatisfactory. Florida researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of drying untreated lychees at 120º F (48.8º C) with free-stream air flow rates above 35 CMF/f2. Drying at higher temperatures gave the fruits a bitter flavor.
The best quality and light color of flesh instead of dark-brown is achieved by first blanching in boiling water for 5 minutes, immersing in a solution of 2% potassium metabisulphite for 48 hours, and dipping in citric acid prior to drying.
Dried fruits can be stored in tins at room temperature for about a year with no change in texture or flavor.
3.2- Medicinal Uses
+ Traditional medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, lychee is known as a fruit with "hot" properties (see the six excesses, for more details on the definition of heat).
According to folk remedy, the fruit possesses a number of functional properties, including anti-cancer, anti-viral, pain-relieving, diuretic and more.
In China, the seeds are credited with an analgesic action and they are given in neuralgia and orchitis. A tea of the fruit peel is taken to overcome smallpox eruptions and diarrhea.
In India, the seeds are powdered and, because of their astringency, administered in intestinal troubles, and they have the reputation there, as in China, of relieving neuralgic pains.
Traditionally, lychee has been used in many cultures for the treatment of health conditions ranging from obesity and diabetes to cough, flatulence, hernia and neuralgic pain.
+ Modern Research Confirms the Traditional Uses of Lychee
A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology recently set out to determine whether these medicinal uses are justified.
Researchers gathered data from scientific journals, books, and worldwide accepted scientific databases and revealed significant evidence that lychee offers medicinal benefits.
Ingested in moderate amounts, the lychee is said to relieve coughing and to have a beneficial effect on gastralgia, tumors and enlargements of the glands.
One stomach-ulcer patient in Florida, has reported that, after eating several fresh lychees he was able to enjoy a large meal that, ordinarily, would have caused great discomfort.
Decoctions of the root, bark and flowers are gargled to alleviate ailments of the throat. Lychee roots have shown activity against one type of tumor in experimental animals in the United States Department of Agriculture/National Cancer Institute Cancer Chemotherapy Screening Program.
+ Traditional medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, lychee is known as a fruit with "hot" properties (see the six excesses, for more details on the definition of heat).
According to folk remedy, the fruit possesses a number of functional properties, including anti-cancer, anti-viral, pain-relieving, diuretic and more.
In China, the seeds are credited with an analgesic action and they are given in neuralgia and orchitis. A tea of the fruit peel is taken to overcome smallpox eruptions and diarrhea.
In India, the seeds are powdered and, because of their astringency, administered in intestinal troubles, and they have the reputation there, as in China, of relieving neuralgic pains.
Traditionally, lychee has been used in many cultures for the treatment of health conditions ranging from obesity and diabetes to cough, flatulence, hernia and neuralgic pain.
+ Modern Research Confirms the Traditional Uses of Lychee
A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology recently set out to determine whether these medicinal uses are justified.
Researchers gathered data from scientific journals, books, and worldwide accepted scientific databases and revealed significant evidence that lychee offers medicinal benefits.
Ingested in moderate amounts, the lychee is said to relieve coughing and to have a beneficial effect on gastralgia, tumors and enlargements of the glands.
One stomach-ulcer patient in Florida, has reported that, after eating several fresh lychees he was able to enjoy a large meal that, ordinarily, would have caused great discomfort.
Decoctions of the root, bark and flowers are gargled to alleviate ailments of the throat. Lychee roots have shown activity against one type of tumor in experimental animals in the United States Department of Agriculture/National Cancer Institute Cancer Chemotherapy Screening Program.
3.3- Other Uses
In China, great quantities of honey are harvested from hives near lychee trees. Honey from bee colonies in lychee groves in Florida is light amber, of the highest quality, with a rich, delicious flavor like that of the juice which leaks when the fruit is peeled, and the honey does not granulate.
In China, great quantities of honey are harvested from hives near lychee trees. Honey from bee colonies in lychee groves in Florida is light amber, of the highest quality, with a rich, delicious flavor like that of the juice which leaks when the fruit is peeled, and the honey does not granulate.
4- Growing Lychee trees
4.1- History of growing Lychee
Cultivation of lychee began in the region of southern China, Malaysia, and northern Vietnam. Wild trees still grow in rainforests in Guangdong province and on Hainan Island.
The next location wild lychee trees started to come out was at the southern sub exotic lower elevations of Southern China within the states of Guangdong/Kwangtung as well as Fujian/Fukien mainly alongside rivers as well as close to the seacoast. These types of lowland lychees are likely a direct result of fruit/seeds which were cleaned down rivers from the mountains or even were moved simply by birds and after that were transferred naturally in excellent circumstances for lychee development.
Unofficial records in China refer to lychee as far back as 2000 BC. The first official recording of lychee in China appeared in the 2nd century BC, while unofficial records date back to 1766 BC.
Guangdong is known as ‘the Kingdom of Lychee’ for the reason that province has got the greatest and finest lychee manufacturing in China as well as lychees are developed just about everywhere within the land. In Guangdong there exists a grove which has a lychee manufacturing record of more than 2000 years!
In the 1st century, fresh lychees were in such demand at the Imperial Court that a special courier service with fast horses would bring the fresh fruit from Guangdong.
The Chinese lychee growers could distinguish the best types for cultivation on the plains, hills or levee banks by the 2nd century BC, but there is no indication of how, when or why they selected certain selections.
You may still find villages in Southern China today along with lychee trees which are over 1000 years old! There is certainly several proof to point out that wild lychee might have additionally originated from northern mountain parts of Vietnam.
In the Chinese classical work, Shanglin Fu, it is stated that the alternate name, meaning leaving its branches, is so-called because once the fruit is picked it deteriorates quickly.
A "Lychee Register" indicated that there were 16 cultivars in Guangdong by 1034 and 30 in Fujian by 1059. These figures had climbed to 100 by 1076 in Guangdong and a similar number, somewhat later in Fujian.
There is mention of cultivars in scientific literature before this time (3rd, 4th and 9th century), but morphological descriptions were not provided until the 11th century and the first detailed description did not appear until 1612.
There was great demand for lychee in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), according to Cai Xiang, in his Li chi pu (Treatise on Lychees). It was also the favourite fruit of Emperor Li Longji (Xuanzong)'s favoured concubine Yang Yuhuan (Yang Guifei). The emperor had the fruit delivered at great expense to the capital.
Certainly, better cultivars could not be disseminated before clonal propagation became available (air layering in the 4th century and grafting in the 14th century). Propagation by seed, however, continued for sometime, but was eventually eliminated by the 16th century.
The lychee attracted attention of European travelers, such as Juan González de Mendoza in his History of the great and mighty kingdom of China (1585; English translation 1588), based on the reports of Spanish friars who had visited China in the 1570s gave the fruit high praise:
"[T]hey haue a kinde of plummes, that they doo call lechias, that are of an exceeding gallant tast, and neuer hurteth any body, although they shoulde eate a great number of them."
The lychee was scientifically described by Pierre Sonnerat (1748-1814) on a return from his travels to China and Southeast Asia. It was then introduced to the Réunion Island in 1764 by Joseph-François Charpentier de Cossigny de Palma. It was later introduced to Madagascar which has become a major producer.
Lychee producing distributed through its indigenous China to neighboring regions of southeastern Asia as well as offshore islands, India, the West Indies, South Africa, Madagascar, then to France and England.
In recent times, Australia has turned into a main manufacturer of lychees within Queensland as well as New South Wales. Lychee trees were being delivered to Australia within the 1850’s simply by Chinese gold miner employees.
The Lychee spread to Hawaii in 1873 and from there to Florida in 1883 and after that from Florida to California in 1897. Even so, effective fruiting of the Lychee tree within the U.S. didn’t take place till the earlier 1900’s within southern California. There are presently about 33 types expanding in the United States, and also Lychee trees have finally distributed to the majority of subtropical and lots of exotic regions of the planet.
In between 1903 and 1906 Reverend W.M. Brewster imported Chen Tze or Royal Chen Purple lychee trees to South and Central Florida from the northernmost growing region of Fukien. This particular lychee variety/cultivar was re-named Brewster. There is certainly even part of an authentic ‘Brewster’ grove in Davie, Florida.
Together with the improvements in lychee manufacturing methods as well as technologies within China since the earlier 1990’s lychee manufacturing in China has doubled. A lot more than 1/2 of the plot of lychees in China have already been grown out since 1994 as well as 1/3 since 1999.
Industrial growing as well as developing of lychees within China is mainly within the provinces of Guangdong, Gangxi, Hainan, Fujian, Yunnan, Taiwan along with a little, and particular division of Sichuan/Szechuan having a distinctive micro-climate.
Lychee manufacturing in China is at mainly the northern tropical as well as southern sub-tropical climate zones in between 19 degrees and 24 degrees north latitude. The northern exotic environment consists of southwestern Guangdong, Hainan, southern Taiwan as well as Leizhou Peninsula. The southern sub-tropical climate zone consists of central as well as southern Guangdong and Guangxi, southeastern coastal Fujian and central, southern and also western coastal Taiwan.
Lychees are extensively grown in China, India, Thailand, Vietnam and the rest of tropical Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and more recently in South Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, Queensland, California, Hawaii, and Florida.
Cultivation of lychee began in the region of southern China, Malaysia, and northern Vietnam. Wild trees still grow in rainforests in Guangdong province and on Hainan Island.
The next location wild lychee trees started to come out was at the southern sub exotic lower elevations of Southern China within the states of Guangdong/Kwangtung as well as Fujian/Fukien mainly alongside rivers as well as close to the seacoast. These types of lowland lychees are likely a direct result of fruit/seeds which were cleaned down rivers from the mountains or even were moved simply by birds and after that were transferred naturally in excellent circumstances for lychee development.
Unofficial records in China refer to lychee as far back as 2000 BC. The first official recording of lychee in China appeared in the 2nd century BC, while unofficial records date back to 1766 BC.
Guangdong is known as ‘the Kingdom of Lychee’ for the reason that province has got the greatest and finest lychee manufacturing in China as well as lychees are developed just about everywhere within the land. In Guangdong there exists a grove which has a lychee manufacturing record of more than 2000 years!
In the 1st century, fresh lychees were in such demand at the Imperial Court that a special courier service with fast horses would bring the fresh fruit from Guangdong.
The Chinese lychee growers could distinguish the best types for cultivation on the plains, hills or levee banks by the 2nd century BC, but there is no indication of how, when or why they selected certain selections.
You may still find villages in Southern China today along with lychee trees which are over 1000 years old! There is certainly several proof to point out that wild lychee might have additionally originated from northern mountain parts of Vietnam.
In the Chinese classical work, Shanglin Fu, it is stated that the alternate name, meaning leaving its branches, is so-called because once the fruit is picked it deteriorates quickly.
A "Lychee Register" indicated that there were 16 cultivars in Guangdong by 1034 and 30 in Fujian by 1059. These figures had climbed to 100 by 1076 in Guangdong and a similar number, somewhat later in Fujian.
There is mention of cultivars in scientific literature before this time (3rd, 4th and 9th century), but morphological descriptions were not provided until the 11th century and the first detailed description did not appear until 1612.
There was great demand for lychee in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), according to Cai Xiang, in his Li chi pu (Treatise on Lychees). It was also the favourite fruit of Emperor Li Longji (Xuanzong)'s favoured concubine Yang Yuhuan (Yang Guifei). The emperor had the fruit delivered at great expense to the capital.
Certainly, better cultivars could not be disseminated before clonal propagation became available (air layering in the 4th century and grafting in the 14th century). Propagation by seed, however, continued for sometime, but was eventually eliminated by the 16th century.
The lychee attracted attention of European travelers, such as Juan González de Mendoza in his History of the great and mighty kingdom of China (1585; English translation 1588), based on the reports of Spanish friars who had visited China in the 1570s gave the fruit high praise:
"[T]hey haue a kinde of plummes, that they doo call lechias, that are of an exceeding gallant tast, and neuer hurteth any body, although they shoulde eate a great number of them."
The lychee was scientifically described by Pierre Sonnerat (1748-1814) on a return from his travels to China and Southeast Asia. It was then introduced to the Réunion Island in 1764 by Joseph-François Charpentier de Cossigny de Palma. It was later introduced to Madagascar which has become a major producer.
Lychee producing distributed through its indigenous China to neighboring regions of southeastern Asia as well as offshore islands, India, the West Indies, South Africa, Madagascar, then to France and England.
In recent times, Australia has turned into a main manufacturer of lychees within Queensland as well as New South Wales. Lychee trees were being delivered to Australia within the 1850’s simply by Chinese gold miner employees.
The Lychee spread to Hawaii in 1873 and from there to Florida in 1883 and after that from Florida to California in 1897. Even so, effective fruiting of the Lychee tree within the U.S. didn’t take place till the earlier 1900’s within southern California. There are presently about 33 types expanding in the United States, and also Lychee trees have finally distributed to the majority of subtropical and lots of exotic regions of the planet.
In between 1903 and 1906 Reverend W.M. Brewster imported Chen Tze or Royal Chen Purple lychee trees to South and Central Florida from the northernmost growing region of Fukien. This particular lychee variety/cultivar was re-named Brewster. There is certainly even part of an authentic ‘Brewster’ grove in Davie, Florida.
Together with the improvements in lychee manufacturing methods as well as technologies within China since the earlier 1990’s lychee manufacturing in China has doubled. A lot more than 1/2 of the plot of lychees in China have already been grown out since 1994 as well as 1/3 since 1999.
Industrial growing as well as developing of lychees within China is mainly within the provinces of Guangdong, Gangxi, Hainan, Fujian, Yunnan, Taiwan along with a little, and particular division of Sichuan/Szechuan having a distinctive micro-climate.
Lychee manufacturing in China is at mainly the northern tropical as well as southern sub-tropical climate zones in between 19 degrees and 24 degrees north latitude. The northern exotic environment consists of southwestern Guangdong, Hainan, southern Taiwan as well as Leizhou Peninsula. The southern sub-tropical climate zone consists of central as well as southern Guangdong and Guangxi, southeastern coastal Fujian and central, southern and also western coastal Taiwan.
Lychees are extensively grown in China, India, Thailand, Vietnam and the rest of tropical Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and more recently in South Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, Queensland, California, Hawaii, and Florida.
4.2- Varieties and Cultivars
Professor Groff, in his book, The lychee and the lungan, tells us that the production of superior types of lychee is a matter of great family pride and local rivalry in China, where the fruit is esteemed as no other.
There are numerous lychee cultivars, with considerable confusion regarding their naming and identification. The same cultivar grown in different climates can produce very different fruit. Cultivars can also have different synonyms in various parts of the world. Southeast Asian countries, along with Australia, use the original Chinese names for the main cultivars. India grows more than a dozen different cultivars. South Africa grows mainly the 'Mauritius' cultivar. Most cultivars grown in the United States were imported from China, except for the 'Groff', which was developed in the state of Hawaii.
Different cultivars of lychee are popular in the varying growing regions and countries.
In China, popular cultivars include: Sanyuehong, Baitangying, Baila, Shuidong, Feizixiao, Dazou, Heiye, Nuomici, Guiwei, Huaizhi, Lanzhu, and Chenzi.
India grows more than a dozen named cultivars, including Shahi (Highest Pulp %), Dehra Dun, Early Large Red, Kalkattia, Rose Scented.
In Vietnam, the most popular cultivar is Vai thieu Hai Duong.
In Florida, production is based on several cultivars, including Mauritius, Brewster, and Hak Ip.
Professor Groff, in his book, The lychee and the lungan, tells us that the production of superior types of lychee is a matter of great family pride and local rivalry in China, where the fruit is esteemed as no other.
There are numerous lychee cultivars, with considerable confusion regarding their naming and identification. The same cultivar grown in different climates can produce very different fruit. Cultivars can also have different synonyms in various parts of the world. Southeast Asian countries, along with Australia, use the original Chinese names for the main cultivars. India grows more than a dozen different cultivars. South Africa grows mainly the 'Mauritius' cultivar. Most cultivars grown in the United States were imported from China, except for the 'Groff', which was developed in the state of Hawaii.
Different cultivars of lychee are popular in the varying growing regions and countries.
In China, popular cultivars include: Sanyuehong, Baitangying, Baila, Shuidong, Feizixiao, Dazou, Heiye, Nuomici, Guiwei, Huaizhi, Lanzhu, and Chenzi.
India grows more than a dozen named cultivars, including Shahi (Highest Pulp %), Dehra Dun, Early Large Red, Kalkattia, Rose Scented.
In Vietnam, the most popular cultivar is Vai thieu Hai Duong.
In Florida, production is based on several cultivars, including Mauritius, Brewster, and Hak Ip.
The following are the 16 cultivars recognized by Professor Groff:
1- 'No Mai Tsze', or 'No mi ts 'z' (glutinous rice) is the leading variety in China; large, red, "dry-and-clean"; seeds often small and shriveled. It is one of the best for drying, and is late in season. It does best when grafted onto the 'Mountain' lychee.
2- 'Kwa Iuk' or 'Kua lu' (hanging green) is a famous lychee; large, red with a green tip and a typical green line; "dry-and-clean"; of outstanding flavor and fragrance. It was, in olden times, a special fruit for presentation to high officials and other persons in positions of honor. Professor Groff was given a single fruit in a little red box!
3- 'Kwai mi' or 'Kuei Wei', (cinnamon flavor) which came to be called 'Mauritius' is smaller, heart-shaped, with rough red skin tinged with green on the shoulders and usually having a thin line running around the fruit. The seed is small and the flesh very sweet and fragrant. The branches of the tree curve upward at the tips and the leaflets curl inward from the midrib.
4- 'Hsiang li', or 'Heung lai' (fragrant lychee) is home by a tree with distinctive erect habit having upward-pointing leaves. The fruit is small, very rough and prickly, deep-red, with the smallest seeds of all, and the flesh is of superior flavor and fragrance. It is late in season. Those grown in Sin Hsing are better than those grown in other locations.
5- 'Hsi Chio tsu', or 'Sai kok tsz' (rhinoceros horn) is borne by a large-growing tree. The fruit is large, rough, broad at the base and narrow at the apex; has somewhat tough and fibrous, but fragrant, sweet, flesh. It ripens early.
6- 'Hak ip', or 'Hei yeh', (black leaf) is borne by a densely-branched tree with large, pointed, slightly curled, dark-green leaflets. The fruit is medium-red, sometimes with green tinges, broad-shouldered, with thin, soft skin and the flesh, occasionally pinkish, is crisp and sweet. This is rated as "one of the best 'water' lychees."
7- 'Fei tsu hsiao', or 'Fi tsz siu' (imperial concubine's laugh, or smile) is large, amber-colored, thin-skinned, with very sweet, very fragrant flesh. Seeds vary from large to very small. It ripens early.
8- 'T' ang po', or 'T' ong pok' (pond embankment) is from a small-leaved tree. The fruit is small, red, rough, with thin, juicy acid flesh and very little rag. It is a very early variety.
9- 'Sheung shu wai' or'Shang hou huai', (President of a Board's embrace) is borne on a small-leaved tree. The fruit is large, rounded, red, with many dark spots. It has sweet flesh with little scent and the seed size is variable. It is rather late in season.
10- 'Ch'u ma lsu', or 'Chu ma lsz' (China grass fiber) has distinctive, lush foliage. The leaves are large, overlapping, with long petioles. The fruits are large with prominent shoulders and rough skin, deep red inside. While very fragrant, the flesh is of inferior flavor and clings to the seed which varies from large to small.
11- 'Ta tsao', or 'Tai tso' (large crop) is widely grown around Canton; somewhat egg-shaped; skin rough, bright-red with many small, dense dots; flesh firm, crisp, sweet, faintly streaked with yellow near the large seed. The juice leaks when the skin is broken. The fruit ripens early.
12- 'Huai chih', or 'Wai chi' (the Wai River lychee) has medium-sized, blunt leaves. The fruit is round with medium-smooth skin, a rich red outside, pink inside; and leaking juice. This is not a high class variety but the most commonly grown, high yielding, and late in season.
13- 'San yueh hung', or 'Sam ut hung' (third month red), also called 'Ma yuen', 'Ma un', 'Tsao kuo', 'Tso kwo', 'Tsao li', or 'Tsoli' (early lychee) is grown along dykes. The branches are brittle and break readily; the leaves are long, pointed, and thick. The fruit is very large, with red, thick, tough skin and thick, medium-sweet flesh with much rag. The seeds are long but aborted. This variety is popular mainly because it comes into season very early.
14- 'Pai la li chih', or 'Pak lap lai chi' (white wax lychee), also called 'Po le tzu', or 'Pak lik tsz (white fragrant plant), is large, pink, rough, with pinkish, fibrous, not very sweet flesh and large seeds. It ripens very late, after 'Huai chih'.
15- 'Shan chi', or 'Shan chih' (mountain lychee), also called 'Suan chih', or 'Sun chi' (sour lychee) grows wild in the hills and is often planted as a rootstock for better varieties. The tree is of erect habit with erect twigs and large, pointed, short-petioled leaves. The fruit is bright-red, elongated, very rough, with thin flesh, acid flavor and large seed.
16- 'T'im ngam', or 'T'ien yeh' (sweet cliff) is a common variety of lychee which Professor Groff reported to be quite widely grown in Kwantung, but not really on a commercial basis.
1- 'No Mai Tsze', or 'No mi ts 'z' (glutinous rice) is the leading variety in China; large, red, "dry-and-clean"; seeds often small and shriveled. It is one of the best for drying, and is late in season. It does best when grafted onto the 'Mountain' lychee.
2- 'Kwa Iuk' or 'Kua lu' (hanging green) is a famous lychee; large, red with a green tip and a typical green line; "dry-and-clean"; of outstanding flavor and fragrance. It was, in olden times, a special fruit for presentation to high officials and other persons in positions of honor. Professor Groff was given a single fruit in a little red box!
3- 'Kwai mi' or 'Kuei Wei', (cinnamon flavor) which came to be called 'Mauritius' is smaller, heart-shaped, with rough red skin tinged with green on the shoulders and usually having a thin line running around the fruit. The seed is small and the flesh very sweet and fragrant. The branches of the tree curve upward at the tips and the leaflets curl inward from the midrib.
4- 'Hsiang li', or 'Heung lai' (fragrant lychee) is home by a tree with distinctive erect habit having upward-pointing leaves. The fruit is small, very rough and prickly, deep-red, with the smallest seeds of all, and the flesh is of superior flavor and fragrance. It is late in season. Those grown in Sin Hsing are better than those grown in other locations.
5- 'Hsi Chio tsu', or 'Sai kok tsz' (rhinoceros horn) is borne by a large-growing tree. The fruit is large, rough, broad at the base and narrow at the apex; has somewhat tough and fibrous, but fragrant, sweet, flesh. It ripens early.
6- 'Hak ip', or 'Hei yeh', (black leaf) is borne by a densely-branched tree with large, pointed, slightly curled, dark-green leaflets. The fruit is medium-red, sometimes with green tinges, broad-shouldered, with thin, soft skin and the flesh, occasionally pinkish, is crisp and sweet. This is rated as "one of the best 'water' lychees."
7- 'Fei tsu hsiao', or 'Fi tsz siu' (imperial concubine's laugh, or smile) is large, amber-colored, thin-skinned, with very sweet, very fragrant flesh. Seeds vary from large to very small. It ripens early.
8- 'T' ang po', or 'T' ong pok' (pond embankment) is from a small-leaved tree. The fruit is small, red, rough, with thin, juicy acid flesh and very little rag. It is a very early variety.
9- 'Sheung shu wai' or'Shang hou huai', (President of a Board's embrace) is borne on a small-leaved tree. The fruit is large, rounded, red, with many dark spots. It has sweet flesh with little scent and the seed size is variable. It is rather late in season.
10- 'Ch'u ma lsu', or 'Chu ma lsz' (China grass fiber) has distinctive, lush foliage. The leaves are large, overlapping, with long petioles. The fruits are large with prominent shoulders and rough skin, deep red inside. While very fragrant, the flesh is of inferior flavor and clings to the seed which varies from large to small.
11- 'Ta tsao', or 'Tai tso' (large crop) is widely grown around Canton; somewhat egg-shaped; skin rough, bright-red with many small, dense dots; flesh firm, crisp, sweet, faintly streaked with yellow near the large seed. The juice leaks when the skin is broken. The fruit ripens early.
12- 'Huai chih', or 'Wai chi' (the Wai River lychee) has medium-sized, blunt leaves. The fruit is round with medium-smooth skin, a rich red outside, pink inside; and leaking juice. This is not a high class variety but the most commonly grown, high yielding, and late in season.
13- 'San yueh hung', or 'Sam ut hung' (third month red), also called 'Ma yuen', 'Ma un', 'Tsao kuo', 'Tso kwo', 'Tsao li', or 'Tsoli' (early lychee) is grown along dykes. The branches are brittle and break readily; the leaves are long, pointed, and thick. The fruit is very large, with red, thick, tough skin and thick, medium-sweet flesh with much rag. The seeds are long but aborted. This variety is popular mainly because it comes into season very early.
14- 'Pai la li chih', or 'Pak lap lai chi' (white wax lychee), also called 'Po le tzu', or 'Pak lik tsz (white fragrant plant), is large, pink, rough, with pinkish, fibrous, not very sweet flesh and large seeds. It ripens very late, after 'Huai chih'.
15- 'Shan chi', or 'Shan chih' (mountain lychee), also called 'Suan chih', or 'Sun chi' (sour lychee) grows wild in the hills and is often planted as a rootstock for better varieties. The tree is of erect habit with erect twigs and large, pointed, short-petioled leaves. The fruit is bright-red, elongated, very rough, with thin flesh, acid flavor and large seed.
16- 'T'im ngam', or 'T'ien yeh' (sweet cliff) is a common variety of lychee which Professor Groff reported to be quite widely grown in Kwantung, but not really on a commercial basis.
4.3- Growing Lychee trees
+ Propagation:
Lychees do not reproduce faithfully from seed, and the choicest have abortive, not viable, seed. Furthermore, lychee seeds remain viable only 4 to 5 days, and seedling trees will not bear until they are 5 to 12, or even 25, years old. For these reasons, seeds are planted mostly for selection and breeding purposes or for rootstock.
Attempts to grow the lychee from cuttings have been generally discouraging, though 80% success has been claimed with spring cuttings in full sun, under constant mist and given weekly liquid nutrients.
Ground-layering has been practiced to some extent. In China, air-layering (marcotting, or gootee) is the most popular means of propagation and has been practiced for ages. By their method, a branch of a chosen tree is girdled, allowed to callus for 1 to 2 days and then is enclosed in a ball of sticky mud mixed with chopped straw or dry leaves and wrapped with burlap. With frequent watering, roots develop in the mud and, in about 100 days, the branch is cut off, the ball of earth is increased to about 30 cm (12 in) in width, and the air-layer is kept in a sheltered nursery for a little over a year, then gradually exposed to full sun before it is set out in the orchard. Some air-layers are planted in large clay pots and grown as ornamentals.
The Chinese method of air-layering has many variations. In fact, 92 modifications have been recorded and experimented with in Hawaii. Inarching is also an ancient custom, selected cultivars being joined to 'Mountain' lychee rootstock.
In India, a more recent development is propagation by stooling, which has been found "simpler, quicker and more economical" there than air-layering. First, air-layers from superior trees are planted 1.2 m (4 ft) apart in "stool beds" where enriched holes have been prepared and left open for 2 weeks. Fertilizer is applied when planting (at the beginning of September) and the air-layers are well established by mid-October and putting out new flushes of growth in November.
It is reported that the transplanted shoots have a survival rate of 81-82% as compared with 40% to 50% in air-layers.
+ Propagation:
Lychees do not reproduce faithfully from seed, and the choicest have abortive, not viable, seed. Furthermore, lychee seeds remain viable only 4 to 5 days, and seedling trees will not bear until they are 5 to 12, or even 25, years old. For these reasons, seeds are planted mostly for selection and breeding purposes or for rootstock.
Attempts to grow the lychee from cuttings have been generally discouraging, though 80% success has been claimed with spring cuttings in full sun, under constant mist and given weekly liquid nutrients.
Ground-layering has been practiced to some extent. In China, air-layering (marcotting, or gootee) is the most popular means of propagation and has been practiced for ages. By their method, a branch of a chosen tree is girdled, allowed to callus for 1 to 2 days and then is enclosed in a ball of sticky mud mixed with chopped straw or dry leaves and wrapped with burlap. With frequent watering, roots develop in the mud and, in about 100 days, the branch is cut off, the ball of earth is increased to about 30 cm (12 in) in width, and the air-layer is kept in a sheltered nursery for a little over a year, then gradually exposed to full sun before it is set out in the orchard. Some air-layers are planted in large clay pots and grown as ornamentals.
The Chinese method of air-layering has many variations. In fact, 92 modifications have been recorded and experimented with in Hawaii. Inarching is also an ancient custom, selected cultivars being joined to 'Mountain' lychee rootstock.
In India, a more recent development is propagation by stooling, which has been found "simpler, quicker and more economical" there than air-layering. First, air-layers from superior trees are planted 1.2 m (4 ft) apart in "stool beds" where enriched holes have been prepared and left open for 2 weeks. Fertilizer is applied when planting (at the beginning of September) and the air-layers are well established by mid-October and putting out new flushes of growth in November.
It is reported that the transplanted shoots have a survival rate of 81-82% as compared with 40% to 50% in air-layers.
+ Spacing:
For a permanent orchard, the trees are best spaced 12 m (40 ft) apart each way. In India, a 30 ft spacing is considered adequate, probably because the drier climate limits the overall growth. Portions of the tree shaded by other trees will not bear fruit. For maximum productivity, there must be full exposure to light on all sides.
In Vietnam tree spacings are 9 x l0 m (110 trees/ha) or 10 x 10 m (100 trees/ha) in good lowland soils and 8 x 8 m (156 trees/ha) or 8 x 10 m (125 trees/ha) in poorer upland soils.
In the Cook Islands, the trees are planted on a 12 x 6 m(40 x 20 ft) spacing - 56 trees per acre (134 per ha) - but in the 15th year, the plantation is thinned to 12 x l2 m (40 x 40 ft).
For a permanent orchard, the trees are best spaced 12 m (40 ft) apart each way. In India, a 30 ft spacing is considered adequate, probably because the drier climate limits the overall growth. Portions of the tree shaded by other trees will not bear fruit. For maximum productivity, there must be full exposure to light on all sides.
In Vietnam tree spacings are 9 x l0 m (110 trees/ha) or 10 x 10 m (100 trees/ha) in good lowland soils and 8 x 8 m (156 trees/ha) or 8 x 10 m (125 trees/ha) in poorer upland soils.
In the Cook Islands, the trees are planted on a 12 x 6 m(40 x 20 ft) spacing - 56 trees per acre (134 per ha) - but in the 15th year, the plantation is thinned to 12 x l2 m (40 x 40 ft).
+ Fertilization:
Newly planted trees must be watered but not fertilized beyond the enrichment of the hole well in advance of planting. In China, lychee trees are fertilized only twice a year and only organic material is used, principally night soil, sometimes with the addition of soybean or peanut residue after oil extraction, or mud from canals and fish ponds. There is no great emphasis on fertilization in India. It has been established that a harvest of 454.5 kg (1,000 lbs) removes approximately 1,361 g (3 lbs) K2O, 454 g (1 lb) P2O5, 454 g (1 lb) N, 340 g (3/4 lb) CaO, and 228 g (1/2 lb) MgO from the soil. It is judged, therefore, that applications of potash, phosphate, lime and magnesium should be made to restore these elements.
Fertilizer experiments on fine sand in central Florida have shown that medium rates of N (either sulfate of ammonia or ammonium nitrate), P2O5, K2O, and MgO, together with one application of dolomite limestone at 4.8 tons/ha (2 tons/acre) are beneficial in counteracting chlorosis and promoting growth, flowering and fruit-set and reducing early fruit shedding. Excessive use of nitrogen suppresses growth and interferes with the uptake of other nutrients. If vegetative dormancy is to be encouraged in bearing trees, fertilizer should be withheld in fall and early winter.
In limestone soil, it may be necessary to spread chelated iron 2 or 3 times a year to avoid chlorosis. Zinc deficiency is evidenced by bronzing of the leaves. It is corrected by a foliar spray of 3.5 kg (8 lbs) zinc sulphate and 1.8 kg (4 lbs) hydrated lime in 45 liters (48 qts) of water. Because of the very shallow root system of the lychee, a surface mulch is very beneficial in hot weather.
Newly planted trees must be watered but not fertilized beyond the enrichment of the hole well in advance of planting. In China, lychee trees are fertilized only twice a year and only organic material is used, principally night soil, sometimes with the addition of soybean or peanut residue after oil extraction, or mud from canals and fish ponds. There is no great emphasis on fertilization in India. It has been established that a harvest of 454.5 kg (1,000 lbs) removes approximately 1,361 g (3 lbs) K2O, 454 g (1 lb) P2O5, 454 g (1 lb) N, 340 g (3/4 lb) CaO, and 228 g (1/2 lb) MgO from the soil. It is judged, therefore, that applications of potash, phosphate, lime and magnesium should be made to restore these elements.
Fertilizer experiments on fine sand in central Florida have shown that medium rates of N (either sulfate of ammonia or ammonium nitrate), P2O5, K2O, and MgO, together with one application of dolomite limestone at 4.8 tons/ha (2 tons/acre) are beneficial in counteracting chlorosis and promoting growth, flowering and fruit-set and reducing early fruit shedding. Excessive use of nitrogen suppresses growth and interferes with the uptake of other nutrients. If vegetative dormancy is to be encouraged in bearing trees, fertilizer should be withheld in fall and early winter.
In limestone soil, it may be necessary to spread chelated iron 2 or 3 times a year to avoid chlorosis. Zinc deficiency is evidenced by bronzing of the leaves. It is corrected by a foliar spray of 3.5 kg (8 lbs) zinc sulphate and 1.8 kg (4 lbs) hydrated lime in 45 liters (48 qts) of water. Because of the very shallow root system of the lychee, a surface mulch is very beneficial in hot weather.
+ Caring:
- Wind protection: Young trees benefit greatly by wind protection. This can be provided by placing stakes around each small tree and stretching cloth around them as a windscreen. In very windy locations, the entire plantation may be protected by trees planted as windbreaks but these should not be so close as to shade the lychees. The lychee tree is structurally highly wind-resistant, having withstood typhoons, but shelter may be needed to safeguard the crop. During dry, hot months, lychee trees of any age will benefit from overhead sprinkling; they are seriously retarded by water stress.
- Pruning: Ordinarily, the tree is not pruned after the judicious shaping of the young plant, because the clipping off of a branch tip with each cluster of fruits is sufficient to promote new growth for the next crop. Severe pruning of old trees may be done to increase fruit size and yield for at least a few years.
- Girdling: The Indian farmer may girdle the branches or trunk of his lychee trees in September to enhance flowering and fruiting. Tests on 'Brewster' in Hawaii confirmed the much higher yield obtained from branches girdled in September. Girdling of trees that begin to flush in October and November is ineffective. Similar trials in Florida showed increased yield of trees that had poor crops the previous year, but there was no significant increase in trees that had been heavy bearers. Furthermore, many branches were weakened or killed by girdling. Repeated girdling as a regular practice would probably seriously interfere with overall growth and productivity.
Indian horticulturists warn that girdling in alternate years, or girdling just half of the tree, may be preferable to annual girdling and that, in any case, heavy fertilization and irrigation should precede girdling. Fall spraying of growth inhibitors has not been found to increase yields.
- Wind protection: Young trees benefit greatly by wind protection. This can be provided by placing stakes around each small tree and stretching cloth around them as a windscreen. In very windy locations, the entire plantation may be protected by trees planted as windbreaks but these should not be so close as to shade the lychees. The lychee tree is structurally highly wind-resistant, having withstood typhoons, but shelter may be needed to safeguard the crop. During dry, hot months, lychee trees of any age will benefit from overhead sprinkling; they are seriously retarded by water stress.
- Pruning: Ordinarily, the tree is not pruned after the judicious shaping of the young plant, because the clipping off of a branch tip with each cluster of fruits is sufficient to promote new growth for the next crop. Severe pruning of old trees may be done to increase fruit size and yield for at least a few years.
- Girdling: The Indian farmer may girdle the branches or trunk of his lychee trees in September to enhance flowering and fruiting. Tests on 'Brewster' in Hawaii confirmed the much higher yield obtained from branches girdled in September. Girdling of trees that begin to flush in October and November is ineffective. Similar trials in Florida showed increased yield of trees that had poor crops the previous year, but there was no significant increase in trees that had been heavy bearers. Furthermore, many branches were weakened or killed by girdling. Repeated girdling as a regular practice would probably seriously interfere with overall growth and productivity.
Indian horticulturists warn that girdling in alternate years, or girdling just half of the tree, may be preferable to annual girdling and that, in any case, heavy fertilization and irrigation should precede girdling. Fall spraying of growth inhibitors has not been found to increase yields.
+ Control Pests and Diseases
- Pests
Animal pests:
1- Fruit bats, wherever encountered in the world are difficult to control in lychee orchards. Strategic netting and shooting have proved the most effective means of control in Australia.
2- Birds do not appear to be a major pest of lychee in Vietnam.
Birds, bats and bees damage ripe fruits on the trees in China and sometimes a stilt house is built beside a choice lychee tree for a watchman to keep guard and ward off these predators, or a large net may be thrown over the tree. In Florida, birds, squirrels, raccoons and rats are prime enemies. Birds have been repelled by hanging on the branches thin metallic ribbons which move, gleam and rattle in the wind. Grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids may, at times, feed heavily on the foliage.
Insect pests
There are about 26 species of insects which affect lychee production in Vietnam. However, there are only a few which have a major impact when present. These are described below.
1- Lychee erinose mite (Eriophyes litchii ). Symptoms are blistering on the leaf surface and brown felting on the underside. Mites migrate from old to new growth, and flowers and young fruit can also be affected. Young trees can be killed if infestations are severe. Fruit production can be substantially reduced in older trees. Infested leaves should be removed and burnt. The new growth should be sprayed every 10-14 days with wettable sulphur (800g/kg) at 3g/1itre or dimethoate (400g/L) at 0.75ml/litre, from just before the flush emerges until it hardens off. Species of predatory phytoselid mites from China are a possible value for biological control.
2- Lychee stink bug (Tessaratoma papillosa). The nymphs and adults damage the young growth flushes and developing inflorescences in spring, by piercing and sucking the panicle stalks and flower pedicels. They also sting the fruit to suck the juice, causing the fruit to ferment and abscise. It is a very destructive pest and may cause the loss of crops. Trichlorphon (625g/1itre) is the preferred chemical for control, as it has a short residual life and is less disruptive on parasites of the stink bug than dimethoate. One spray before flowering and two sprays (0.75 ml/litre) after fruit set are recommended. Anastatus spp. wasp parasites have proved to be very effective against this pest in China, and technology for rearing these parasites are well-developed and should be introduced into Vietnam.
3- The lychee moth (Acrocercops cramerella ). The moth lays eggs on the skin of the fruit and the larvae pierce the skin and feed on the flesh, causing the loss of the fruit. The moth can complete several generations per year. The lychee moth may be quite severe in some regions. If left unchecked, this pest can be almost as serious as the lychee stink bug especially after rain. Procedures for monitoring the pest have been worked out in China. Most seasons require at least one application of dichlorvos about one month before harvest.
4- Leaf-eating beetles (Anomala radicola) often swarm during the evening in summer and damage the soft new growth. Beetles can live for several months, and there are 2-3 generations per year. Swarms can inflict damage quickly and failure to detect them negates the benefits of any control measures. Beetles often appear soon after initial rainfall in summer. Carbaryl (800g/kg) should be applied at 1g/1itre as late in the day as possible to achieve maximum impact when beetles emerge to feed at night.
5- Stem (Aristobia testudo) and bark borers (Arbela tetraonis) occasionally attack branches causing loss of links. Chemical control is not effective.
6- Fruit piercing months including Othresis fullonia and Eudocima spp. are major pests of citrus in Vietnam, but are not considered important in lychee.
Nematode pests
In South Africa, the parasitic nematode Hemicriconemoides mangiferae and Xiphinema brevicolle cause die-back, decline and ultimately death of lychee trees, sometimes devastating orchards. The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, also attacks the lychee in South Africa but is less prevalent.
Nematodes, 'Decline and Sudden Death', don't appear to be a problem in Vietnam.
- Pests
Animal pests:
1- Fruit bats, wherever encountered in the world are difficult to control in lychee orchards. Strategic netting and shooting have proved the most effective means of control in Australia.
2- Birds do not appear to be a major pest of lychee in Vietnam.
Birds, bats and bees damage ripe fruits on the trees in China and sometimes a stilt house is built beside a choice lychee tree for a watchman to keep guard and ward off these predators, or a large net may be thrown over the tree. In Florida, birds, squirrels, raccoons and rats are prime enemies. Birds have been repelled by hanging on the branches thin metallic ribbons which move, gleam and rattle in the wind. Grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids may, at times, feed heavily on the foliage.
Insect pests
There are about 26 species of insects which affect lychee production in Vietnam. However, there are only a few which have a major impact when present. These are described below.
1- Lychee erinose mite (Eriophyes litchii ). Symptoms are blistering on the leaf surface and brown felting on the underside. Mites migrate from old to new growth, and flowers and young fruit can also be affected. Young trees can be killed if infestations are severe. Fruit production can be substantially reduced in older trees. Infested leaves should be removed and burnt. The new growth should be sprayed every 10-14 days with wettable sulphur (800g/kg) at 3g/1itre or dimethoate (400g/L) at 0.75ml/litre, from just before the flush emerges until it hardens off. Species of predatory phytoselid mites from China are a possible value for biological control.
2- Lychee stink bug (Tessaratoma papillosa). The nymphs and adults damage the young growth flushes and developing inflorescences in spring, by piercing and sucking the panicle stalks and flower pedicels. They also sting the fruit to suck the juice, causing the fruit to ferment and abscise. It is a very destructive pest and may cause the loss of crops. Trichlorphon (625g/1itre) is the preferred chemical for control, as it has a short residual life and is less disruptive on parasites of the stink bug than dimethoate. One spray before flowering and two sprays (0.75 ml/litre) after fruit set are recommended. Anastatus spp. wasp parasites have proved to be very effective against this pest in China, and technology for rearing these parasites are well-developed and should be introduced into Vietnam.
3- The lychee moth (Acrocercops cramerella ). The moth lays eggs on the skin of the fruit and the larvae pierce the skin and feed on the flesh, causing the loss of the fruit. The moth can complete several generations per year. The lychee moth may be quite severe in some regions. If left unchecked, this pest can be almost as serious as the lychee stink bug especially after rain. Procedures for monitoring the pest have been worked out in China. Most seasons require at least one application of dichlorvos about one month before harvest.
4- Leaf-eating beetles (Anomala radicola) often swarm during the evening in summer and damage the soft new growth. Beetles can live for several months, and there are 2-3 generations per year. Swarms can inflict damage quickly and failure to detect them negates the benefits of any control measures. Beetles often appear soon after initial rainfall in summer. Carbaryl (800g/kg) should be applied at 1g/1itre as late in the day as possible to achieve maximum impact when beetles emerge to feed at night.
5- Stem (Aristobia testudo) and bark borers (Arbela tetraonis) occasionally attack branches causing loss of links. Chemical control is not effective.
6- Fruit piercing months including Othresis fullonia and Eudocima spp. are major pests of citrus in Vietnam, but are not considered important in lychee.
Nematode pests
In South Africa, the parasitic nematode Hemicriconemoides mangiferae and Xiphinema brevicolle cause die-back, decline and ultimately death of lychee trees, sometimes devastating orchards. The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne javanica, also attacks the lychee in South Africa but is less prevalent.
Nematodes, 'Decline and Sudden Death', don't appear to be a problem in Vietnam.
- Diseases
Few diseases have been reported from any lychee-growing locality. The glossy leaves are very resistant to fungi.
The lychee in Vietnam, as in most other countries, seems to be little-affected by serious diseases.
In Florida, lychee trees are occasionally subject to green scurf, or algal leaf spot (Cephaleuros virescens), leaf blight (Gleosporium sp.), die-back, caused by Phomopsis sp., and mushroom root rot (Clitocybe tabescens) which is most likely to attack lychee trees planted where oak trees formerly stood. Old oak roots and stumps have been found thoroughly infected with the fungus.
In India, leaf spot caused by Pestalotia pauciseta may be prevalent in December and can be controlled by lime-sulphur sprays. Leaf spots caused by Botryodiplodia theobromae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, which begin at the tip of the leaflet, were first noticed in India in 1962.
Lichens and algae commonly grow on the trunks and branches of lychee trees.
The main post-harvest problem is spoilage by the yeast-like organism, which is quick to attack warm, moist fruits. It is important to keep the fruits dry and cool, with good circulation of air. When conditions favor rotting, dusting with fungicide will be necessary.
The most obvious disease is the parasitic algae, Cephaleuros virescens, which can be readily controlled by copper oxychloride sprays applied to the trunk and limbs before and after the wet season (4g/1itre).
Few diseases have been reported from any lychee-growing locality. The glossy leaves are very resistant to fungi.
The lychee in Vietnam, as in most other countries, seems to be little-affected by serious diseases.
In Florida, lychee trees are occasionally subject to green scurf, or algal leaf spot (Cephaleuros virescens), leaf blight (Gleosporium sp.), die-back, caused by Phomopsis sp., and mushroom root rot (Clitocybe tabescens) which is most likely to attack lychee trees planted where oak trees formerly stood. Old oak roots and stumps have been found thoroughly infected with the fungus.
In India, leaf spot caused by Pestalotia pauciseta may be prevalent in December and can be controlled by lime-sulphur sprays. Leaf spots caused by Botryodiplodia theobromae and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, which begin at the tip of the leaflet, were first noticed in India in 1962.
Lichens and algae commonly grow on the trunks and branches of lychee trees.
The main post-harvest problem is spoilage by the yeast-like organism, which is quick to attack warm, moist fruits. It is important to keep the fruits dry and cool, with good circulation of air. When conditions favor rotting, dusting with fungicide will be necessary.
The most obvious disease is the parasitic algae, Cephaleuros virescens, which can be readily controlled by copper oxychloride sprays applied to the trunk and limbs before and after the wet season (4g/1itre).
+ Harvesting
For home use or for local markets, lychees are harvested when fully colored; for shipment, when only partly colored. The final swelling of the fruit causes the protuberances on the skin to be less crowded and to slightly flatten out, thus an experienced picker will recognize the stage of full maturity.
The fruits are rarely picked singly except for immediate eating out-of-hand, because the stem does not normally detach without breaking the skin and that causes the fruit to spoil quickly. The clusters are usually clipped with a portion of stem and a few leaves attached to prolong freshness. Individual fruits are later clipped from the cluster leaving a stub of stem attached.
Harvesting may need to be done every 3 to 4 days over a period of 3-4 weeks. It is never done right after rain, as the wet fruit is very perishable. The lychee tree is not very suitable for the use of ladders. High clusters are usually harvested by metal or bamboo pruning poles. A worker can harvest 25 kg (55 lbs) of fruits per hour.
For home use or for local markets, lychees are harvested when fully colored; for shipment, when only partly colored. The final swelling of the fruit causes the protuberances on the skin to be less crowded and to slightly flatten out, thus an experienced picker will recognize the stage of full maturity.
The fruits are rarely picked singly except for immediate eating out-of-hand, because the stem does not normally detach without breaking the skin and that causes the fruit to spoil quickly. The clusters are usually clipped with a portion of stem and a few leaves attached to prolong freshness. Individual fruits are later clipped from the cluster leaving a stub of stem attached.
Harvesting may need to be done every 3 to 4 days over a period of 3-4 weeks. It is never done right after rain, as the wet fruit is very perishable. The lychee tree is not very suitable for the use of ladders. High clusters are usually harvested by metal or bamboo pruning poles. A worker can harvest 25 kg (55 lbs) of fruits per hour.
+ The Yield of Lychee
The yield varies with the cultivar, age, weather, presence of pollinators, and cultural practices.
In India, a 5-year-old tree may produce 500 fruits, a 20-year-old tree 4,000 to 5,000 fruits - 72.5-149.6 kg (160 to 330 lbs). Exceptional trees have borne 455 kg (1,000 lbs) of fruit per year.
One tree in Florida has borne 544 kg (1,200 lbs).
In China, there are reports of 680 kg (1,500 lb) crops.
In South Africa, trees 25 years old have averaged 272 kg (600 lbs) each in good years; and an average yield per acre is approximately 10,000 lbs annually (roughly equivalent to 10,000 kg per hectare).
The yield varies with the cultivar, age, weather, presence of pollinators, and cultural practices.
In India, a 5-year-old tree may produce 500 fruits, a 20-year-old tree 4,000 to 5,000 fruits - 72.5-149.6 kg (160 to 330 lbs). Exceptional trees have borne 455 kg (1,000 lbs) of fruit per year.
One tree in Florida has borne 544 kg (1,200 lbs).
In China, there are reports of 680 kg (1,500 lb) crops.
In South Africa, trees 25 years old have averaged 272 kg (600 lbs) each in good years; and an average yield per acre is approximately 10,000 lbs annually (roughly equivalent to 10,000 kg per hectare).
+ Keeping Quality, Storage and Shipping
- Keeping Quality
Fresh lychee fruits can be available in the markets from May to October. The Fruit must be allowed to ripen fully on the tree itself since the ripening process ceases soon-after it harvested. On the other hand, over maturity makes them turn dark-brown in appearance and lose their luster and flavor. While harvesting, snip off the entire fruit brunch, keeping intact a short piece of the stem attached to the fruit.
Fresh fruits, picked individually by snapping the stems and later de-stemmed during grading, and packed in shallow, ventilated cartons with shredded-paper cushioning, have been successfully shipped by air from Florida to markets throughout the United States and also to Canada.
Freshly picked lychees keep their color and quality only 3 to 5 days at room temperature. If pre-treated with 0.5% copper sulphate solution and kept in perforated polyethylene bags, they will remain fresh somewhat longer.
- Storage
In the store, choose fruits that feature fresh, without cuts or mold. Litchis surface get dried sooner if kept open at room temperature for a few hours and therefore should be moistened often to keep them fresh. Fresh fruits can be kept at room temperature for up-to 2-3 days and can be stored for up to five weeks in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen or dried and canned for export purposes.
In South Africa, freshly picked lychees have been placed on trays in ventilated sheds, dusted with sulphur and left overnight, and then allowed to "wilt" in lugs for 24 to 48 hours to permit any infested or injured fruits to become conspicuous before grading and packing. It is said that fruits so treated retain their fresh color and are unaffected by fungi or pests for several weeks.
In China and India, lychees are packed in baskets or crates lined with leaves or other cushioning. The clusters or loose fruits are best packed in trays with protective sheets between the layers and no more than 5 single layers or 3 double layers are joined together. The pack should not be too tight. Containers for stacked trays or fruits not so arranged, must be fairly shallow to avoid too much weight and crushing. Spoilage may be retarded by moistening the fruits with a salt solution.
- Keeping Quality
Fresh lychee fruits can be available in the markets from May to October. The Fruit must be allowed to ripen fully on the tree itself since the ripening process ceases soon-after it harvested. On the other hand, over maturity makes them turn dark-brown in appearance and lose their luster and flavor. While harvesting, snip off the entire fruit brunch, keeping intact a short piece of the stem attached to the fruit.
Fresh fruits, picked individually by snapping the stems and later de-stemmed during grading, and packed in shallow, ventilated cartons with shredded-paper cushioning, have been successfully shipped by air from Florida to markets throughout the United States and also to Canada.
Freshly picked lychees keep their color and quality only 3 to 5 days at room temperature. If pre-treated with 0.5% copper sulphate solution and kept in perforated polyethylene bags, they will remain fresh somewhat longer.
- Storage
In the store, choose fruits that feature fresh, without cuts or mold. Litchis surface get dried sooner if kept open at room temperature for a few hours and therefore should be moistened often to keep them fresh. Fresh fruits can be kept at room temperature for up-to 2-3 days and can be stored for up to five weeks in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen or dried and canned for export purposes.
In South Africa, freshly picked lychees have been placed on trays in ventilated sheds, dusted with sulphur and left overnight, and then allowed to "wilt" in lugs for 24 to 48 hours to permit any infested or injured fruits to become conspicuous before grading and packing. It is said that fruits so treated retain their fresh color and are unaffected by fungi or pests for several weeks.
In China and India, lychees are packed in baskets or crates lined with leaves or other cushioning. The clusters or loose fruits are best packed in trays with protective sheets between the layers and no more than 5 single layers or 3 double layers are joined together. The pack should not be too tight. Containers for stacked trays or fruits not so arranged, must be fairly shallow to avoid too much weight and crushing. Spoilage may be retarded by moistening the fruits with a salt solution.
- Shipping
In the Cook Islands, the fruits are removed from the clusters, dipped in Benlate to control fungal growth, dried on racks, then packed in cartons for shipment to New Zealand.
South African shippers immerse the fruits for 10 minutes in a suspension of 0.375 dicloran 50% wp plus 0.625 g benomyl 50% wp per liter of water warmed to 52º C (125.6º F). Tests at CSIRO, Div. of Food Research, New South Wales, Australia, in 1982, showed good color retention, retardation of weight loss and fungal spoilage in lychees dipped in hot benomyl 0.05% at 52º C (125.6º F) for two minutes and packed in trays with PVC "skrink" film covering. The chemical treatment had not yet been approved by health authorities.
Lychee clusters shipped to France by air from Madagascar have arrived in fresh condition when packed 6 kg (13 lbs) to the carton and cushioned with leaves of the traveler's tree (Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn.).
Boat shipment requires hydrocooling at the plantation at 0º-2º C (32º-35.6º F), packing in sealed polyethylene bags, storing and conveying to the port at -4º to -13º F (-20ºC to -25º C) and shipping at 0º-2º C (32º to 35.6º F).
In Florida, fresh lychees in sealed, heavy-gauge polyethylene bags keep their color for 7 days in storage or transit at 1.67º-10º C (35º to 50º F). Each bag should contain no more than 6.8 kg (15 lbs ) of fruit.
Lychees placed in polyethylene bags with moss, leaves, paper shavings or cotton packing have retained fresh color and quality for 2 weeks in storage at 45º F (7.22º C); for a month at 40º F (4.44º C). At 32º to 35º F(0º-1.67º C) and 85% to 90% relative humidity, untreated lychees, can be stored for 10 weeks; the skin will turn brown but the flesh will be virtually in fresh condition but sweeter.
Frozen, peeled or unpeeled, lychees in moisture-vapor-proof containers keep for 2 years.
In the Cook Islands, the fruits are removed from the clusters, dipped in Benlate to control fungal growth, dried on racks, then packed in cartons for shipment to New Zealand.
South African shippers immerse the fruits for 10 minutes in a suspension of 0.375 dicloran 50% wp plus 0.625 g benomyl 50% wp per liter of water warmed to 52º C (125.6º F). Tests at CSIRO, Div. of Food Research, New South Wales, Australia, in 1982, showed good color retention, retardation of weight loss and fungal spoilage in lychees dipped in hot benomyl 0.05% at 52º C (125.6º F) for two minutes and packed in trays with PVC "skrink" film covering. The chemical treatment had not yet been approved by health authorities.
Lychee clusters shipped to France by air from Madagascar have arrived in fresh condition when packed 6 kg (13 lbs) to the carton and cushioned with leaves of the traveler's tree (Ravenala madagascariensis Sonn.).
Boat shipment requires hydrocooling at the plantation at 0º-2º C (32º-35.6º F), packing in sealed polyethylene bags, storing and conveying to the port at -4º to -13º F (-20ºC to -25º C) and shipping at 0º-2º C (32º to 35.6º F).
In Florida, fresh lychees in sealed, heavy-gauge polyethylene bags keep their color for 7 days in storage or transit at 1.67º-10º C (35º to 50º F). Each bag should contain no more than 6.8 kg (15 lbs ) of fruit.
Lychees placed in polyethylene bags with moss, leaves, paper shavings or cotton packing have retained fresh color and quality for 2 weeks in storage at 45º F (7.22º C); for a month at 40º F (4.44º C). At 32º to 35º F(0º-1.67º C) and 85% to 90% relative humidity, untreated lychees, can be stored for 10 weeks; the skin will turn brown but the flesh will be virtually in fresh condition but sweeter.
Frozen, peeled or unpeeled, lychees in moisture-vapor-proof containers keep for 2 years.
4.4- Growing Lychee in some main countries and areas
+ China
Lychee trees are distributed in seven provinces in southern China of which Guangdong and Fujian are the main producing areas followed by Guangxi, Sichuan and Yunnan. Guangdong produces about 65% of the crop. There are over 80 countries growing lychees in Guangdong, but lychee production is centred, in and around Guangzhou. The lychee ranks second after citrus as the most important fruit crop in Guangdong. In Fujian, citrus and longan are more important. The area under lychee is about 300000 ha, which is more than the total area under horticulture in Australia. Yields of 10 t/ha are possible in well-managed orchards in Guangdong. Average yields are about 2 t/ha. Yields are lower in Fujian, where lychee is considered a poorer proposition.
There are more than 100 lychee cultivars in China, probably because of the long history of cultivation and propagation of the crop by seed. The most important cultivars in Guangdong and Fujian are Sum Yee Hong, Tai So, Chen Zi (Brewster), Souey Tung, Haak Yip, Fay Zee Siu, Kwai May, Wai Chee and No Mai Chee. Wai Chee accounts for over 50% of plantings in Guangdong and bears consistentlY,because it flowers late and avoids the low temperatures of early spring. In Fujian, Haak Yip and Souey Tung dominate plantings. Other cultivars grown commercially include: Bah Lup (Pinyin: Bai La), Jin Feng, Chong Yun Hong (Lhuang Yuan Hong), Heong Lai (Xin Xing Xiang Li), Tim Naan (Tian Yan), Kwa Lok (theng Cheng Gua Lu), Seong Sue Wai (Shang Shu Huai), and Soot Wai Zee (Xue Huai li).
In general, No Mai Chee and Kwai May are very highly regarded for excellent eating quality and a high proportion of chicken tongue (or aborted seed) fruit. Fay Zee Siu is also popular because of its excellent eating and its large size (24-32g) fruit. Some cultivars are best eaten fresh, others are more suitable for canning or drying. Cultivars for export include Sum Yee Hong, Fay Zee Siu, Haak Yip, Kwai May, Wai Chee and No Mai Chee.
+ China
Lychee trees are distributed in seven provinces in southern China of which Guangdong and Fujian are the main producing areas followed by Guangxi, Sichuan and Yunnan. Guangdong produces about 65% of the crop. There are over 80 countries growing lychees in Guangdong, but lychee production is centred, in and around Guangzhou. The lychee ranks second after citrus as the most important fruit crop in Guangdong. In Fujian, citrus and longan are more important. The area under lychee is about 300000 ha, which is more than the total area under horticulture in Australia. Yields of 10 t/ha are possible in well-managed orchards in Guangdong. Average yields are about 2 t/ha. Yields are lower in Fujian, where lychee is considered a poorer proposition.
There are more than 100 lychee cultivars in China, probably because of the long history of cultivation and propagation of the crop by seed. The most important cultivars in Guangdong and Fujian are Sum Yee Hong, Tai So, Chen Zi (Brewster), Souey Tung, Haak Yip, Fay Zee Siu, Kwai May, Wai Chee and No Mai Chee. Wai Chee accounts for over 50% of plantings in Guangdong and bears consistentlY,because it flowers late and avoids the low temperatures of early spring. In Fujian, Haak Yip and Souey Tung dominate plantings. Other cultivars grown commercially include: Bah Lup (Pinyin: Bai La), Jin Feng, Chong Yun Hong (Lhuang Yuan Hong), Heong Lai (Xin Xing Xiang Li), Tim Naan (Tian Yan), Kwa Lok (theng Cheng Gua Lu), Seong Sue Wai (Shang Shu Huai), and Soot Wai Zee (Xue Huai li).
In general, No Mai Chee and Kwai May are very highly regarded for excellent eating quality and a high proportion of chicken tongue (or aborted seed) fruit. Fay Zee Siu is also popular because of its excellent eating and its large size (24-32g) fruit. Some cultivars are best eaten fresh, others are more suitable for canning or drying. Cultivars for export include Sum Yee Hong, Fay Zee Siu, Haak Yip, Kwai May, Wai Chee and No Mai Chee.
+ Taiwan
Lychee air-layers, mainly Haak Yip and Chong Yun Hong (Pinyin:Zhuang Yuan Hong), were introduced into the northern part of Taiwan from mainland China in 1760 and again in 1860. However, commercial production did not begin until the late 1920s when further introductions of the main Chinese cultivars were grown in southern areas away from strong winds of the Pacific Ocean.
Since the 1920s, lychee plants have been distributed to every district in Taiwan except the north where the weather during winter and spring is cold and wet. The major area of cultivation is the central and southern districts of the island, where there are large areas of alluvial sandy loam. Yields are higher on these soils compared to those on the mountain slopes. Temperature and moisture conditions are ideal for satisfactory flowering during winter, and mature trees may carry 500 kg of fruit in a season. Haak Yip is the most popular cultivar and accounts for over 80% of plantings. Other important cultivars are Sum Yee Hong, Chong Yun Hong, No Mai Chee and more recently Sah Keng.
Lychee air-layers, mainly Haak Yip and Chong Yun Hong (Pinyin:Zhuang Yuan Hong), were introduced into the northern part of Taiwan from mainland China in 1760 and again in 1860. However, commercial production did not begin until the late 1920s when further introductions of the main Chinese cultivars were grown in southern areas away from strong winds of the Pacific Ocean.
Since the 1920s, lychee plants have been distributed to every district in Taiwan except the north where the weather during winter and spring is cold and wet. The major area of cultivation is the central and southern districts of the island, where there are large areas of alluvial sandy loam. Yields are higher on these soils compared to those on the mountain slopes. Temperature and moisture conditions are ideal for satisfactory flowering during winter, and mature trees may carry 500 kg of fruit in a season. Haak Yip is the most popular cultivar and accounts for over 80% of plantings. Other important cultivars are Sum Yee Hong, Chong Yun Hong, No Mai Chee and more recently Sah Keng.
+ Thailand
Lychee ranks eleven in the list of economic fruit crops in Thailand. The main production centre is in the north at elevations of 300 to 600 m between Chiang Mai, Lamphum and Fang in a monsoonal climate with a distinct dry season. Plantings have also been established in the more tropical humid high rainfall areas north of Bangkok, but flowering is more consistent and yields higher in the cooler elevated areas.
Although the lychee has a long history in Thailand, better cultivars from China were only introduced in the early 1950s. The main cultivars in the Chiang Mai Area are Tai So and to a lesser degree Wai Chee, Baidum and Chacapat. A different set of cultivars has been developed for production in the tropical areas, including Luk Lai, Sampao Kaow, Kaloke Bai Yaow, Kom and Red China. Quality of these seedling selections does not compare favourably to the cultivars grown in northern districts.
Lychee ranks eleven in the list of economic fruit crops in Thailand. The main production centre is in the north at elevations of 300 to 600 m between Chiang Mai, Lamphum and Fang in a monsoonal climate with a distinct dry season. Plantings have also been established in the more tropical humid high rainfall areas north of Bangkok, but flowering is more consistent and yields higher in the cooler elevated areas.
Although the lychee has a long history in Thailand, better cultivars from China were only introduced in the early 1950s. The main cultivars in the Chiang Mai Area are Tai So and to a lesser degree Wai Chee, Baidum and Chacapat. A different set of cultivars has been developed for production in the tropical areas, including Luk Lai, Sampao Kaow, Kaloke Bai Yaow, Kom and Red China. Quality of these seedling selections does not compare favourably to the cultivars grown in northern districts.
+ Vietnam
Northern Vietnam is part of the original area of distribution of lychee.
Lychee trees can be found throughout much of northern Vietnam. The two largest lychee-growing areas in the country lie in Bac Giang and Hai Duong Provinces in the north.
Growers in the two provinces are expecting to harvest a total of 200,000 metric tons of fresh lychees in the 2015 crop, a 28.2 percent year on year rise, according to the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency.
The major area of production is in a radius of 50-150km from Hanoi (Lat. 21°N) especially in Nam Thanh District in Hai Hung Province, Luc Ngan district in Ha Bac Province, and to a lesser degree in Dong Trien District in Quang Nihn Province and Ao Chau district in Vinh Phu Province. There are also some lychees near Hanoi and further south in Ha Nam Nihn and Nghe Tinh Province (19°N latitude). However, generally, lychee crops well over a narrow area (Lat. 20-22°N), at an elevation of 100 m above sea level. Within a district, the lychee farms are also concentrated in a small area of each other.
To date, the Research Institute of Fruits and Vegetables (RIFAV) has collected and characterized 33 accessions that can be identified as 33 cultivars of lychee grown in different locations in home gardens and consolidated farms.
Currently most lychee production appears to come from small farms and co-operatives with many plantings of perhaps 50-100 trees (1-2 ha), although larger state farm plantings dominate in Dong Trien District in Quang Ninh Province.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, about 60 percent of the lychees, or 120,000 metric tons, will be sold domestically, while the remaining 40 percent, or 80,000 metric tons, including 85 percent of fresh fruits and 15 percent of dried and frozen fruits, are set aside for export to a number of foreign markets like Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, the U.S., Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Europe.
Northern Vietnam is part of the original area of distribution of lychee.
Lychee trees can be found throughout much of northern Vietnam. The two largest lychee-growing areas in the country lie in Bac Giang and Hai Duong Provinces in the north.
Growers in the two provinces are expecting to harvest a total of 200,000 metric tons of fresh lychees in the 2015 crop, a 28.2 percent year on year rise, according to the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency.
The major area of production is in a radius of 50-150km from Hanoi (Lat. 21°N) especially in Nam Thanh District in Hai Hung Province, Luc Ngan district in Ha Bac Province, and to a lesser degree in Dong Trien District in Quang Nihn Province and Ao Chau district in Vinh Phu Province. There are also some lychees near Hanoi and further south in Ha Nam Nihn and Nghe Tinh Province (19°N latitude). However, generally, lychee crops well over a narrow area (Lat. 20-22°N), at an elevation of 100 m above sea level. Within a district, the lychee farms are also concentrated in a small area of each other.
To date, the Research Institute of Fruits and Vegetables (RIFAV) has collected and characterized 33 accessions that can be identified as 33 cultivars of lychee grown in different locations in home gardens and consolidated farms.
Currently most lychee production appears to come from small farms and co-operatives with many plantings of perhaps 50-100 trees (1-2 ha), although larger state farm plantings dominate in Dong Trien District in Quang Ninh Province.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, about 60 percent of the lychees, or 120,000 metric tons, will be sold domestically, while the remaining 40 percent, or 80,000 metric tons, including 85 percent of fresh fruits and 15 percent of dried and frozen fruits, are set aside for export to a number of foreign markets like Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, the U.S., Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Europe.
+ India
Lychee reached India through Burma about the end of the 17th century, and India now produces nearly as many lychees as China. During the last 200 years, it has spread to several areas. More than 70% of the crop is produced in northern Bihar. Other lychee growing states include West Bengal (15%) and Uttar Pradesh (6%).
Most of the lychee cultivars in India have been developed locally from seedlings from Chinese selections. Although a large number of lychee cultivars are grown most of them are not widely planted. The same cultivar may be known under several different names in different places. However, few of the Indian cultivars appear to be renamed Chinese cultivars as has happened in Thailand, Hawaii and Australia. Hot and desiccating winds is the main factor limiting lychee cultivation in several districts and cultivars have been selected which can reputedly set and carry fruit under these adverse conditions.
Of the 10 commercial cultivars growing in Bihar, Shahi (Muzaffarpur), Rose-Scented and China are the most popular, due to their large fruit size and excellent quality. Other important cultivars are Deshi, Kasba, Purbi, and Early and Late Bendana. The most popular cultivars in the Punjab are: Saharanpur (Early Large Red), Dehradun, Calcutta (Calcutta, Kalcuttia or Calcutta Late), Shahi, Seedless Late (Late Seedless or Late Bedana) and Rose-Scented.
Lychee reached India through Burma about the end of the 17th century, and India now produces nearly as many lychees as China. During the last 200 years, it has spread to several areas. More than 70% of the crop is produced in northern Bihar. Other lychee growing states include West Bengal (15%) and Uttar Pradesh (6%).
Most of the lychee cultivars in India have been developed locally from seedlings from Chinese selections. Although a large number of lychee cultivars are grown most of them are not widely planted. The same cultivar may be known under several different names in different places. However, few of the Indian cultivars appear to be renamed Chinese cultivars as has happened in Thailand, Hawaii and Australia. Hot and desiccating winds is the main factor limiting lychee cultivation in several districts and cultivars have been selected which can reputedly set and carry fruit under these adverse conditions.
Of the 10 commercial cultivars growing in Bihar, Shahi (Muzaffarpur), Rose-Scented and China are the most popular, due to their large fruit size and excellent quality. Other important cultivars are Deshi, Kasba, Purbi, and Early and Late Bendana. The most popular cultivars in the Punjab are: Saharanpur (Early Large Red), Dehradun, Calcutta (Calcutta, Kalcuttia or Calcutta Late), Shahi, Seedless Late (Late Seedless or Late Bedana) and Rose-Scented.
+ South Africa
There is evidence that lychee trees were imported into South Africa from Mauritius in the early 1870s. From 1886 onwards, the Durban Botanical gardens distributed air-layers of those introductions within the country, mainly for planting in Natal. Commercial orchards are currently spread on the western boundary of South Africa from Levubu and Tzaneen in the northern Transvaal, the central and southern Lowveld near Hazyview, Nelspruit, Malelane and Barberton down to the North and South Coast of Natal near Durban and Port Shepstone. About half the crop is exported to Europe, and the export market is in direct competition with fruit from Madagascar.
The commercial lychee industry in South Africa is mainly dependent on a single cultivar, H.L.H. Mauritius (80% of plantings), so named because practically all the trees throughout the country are clonal propagules from an original tree imported from Mauritius by H.L. Hood. This cultivar resembles the Chinese cultivar Tai So, and any differences in tree or fruit characteristics are very minor and not agronomically significant; it may be a seedling or sport of Tai So. The main disadvantage with Tai So is its large seed. Because the industry is dependent on a single cultivar, the production season is unduly short at any location. However, fruit are normally available from the end of November to mid-February due to differences in environmental conditions in the different lychee growing areas. The only other cultivar grown (20% of plantings) to any extent is Bengal (Madras). Chinese, Indian and Australian cultivars have also been imported into South Africa but their performance and yield have yet to be fully evaluated and none have been released for commercial cultivation.
There is evidence that lychee trees were imported into South Africa from Mauritius in the early 1870s. From 1886 onwards, the Durban Botanical gardens distributed air-layers of those introductions within the country, mainly for planting in Natal. Commercial orchards are currently spread on the western boundary of South Africa from Levubu and Tzaneen in the northern Transvaal, the central and southern Lowveld near Hazyview, Nelspruit, Malelane and Barberton down to the North and South Coast of Natal near Durban and Port Shepstone. About half the crop is exported to Europe, and the export market is in direct competition with fruit from Madagascar.
The commercial lychee industry in South Africa is mainly dependent on a single cultivar, H.L.H. Mauritius (80% of plantings), so named because practically all the trees throughout the country are clonal propagules from an original tree imported from Mauritius by H.L. Hood. This cultivar resembles the Chinese cultivar Tai So, and any differences in tree or fruit characteristics are very minor and not agronomically significant; it may be a seedling or sport of Tai So. The main disadvantage with Tai So is its large seed. Because the industry is dependent on a single cultivar, the production season is unduly short at any location. However, fruit are normally available from the end of November to mid-February due to differences in environmental conditions in the different lychee growing areas. The only other cultivar grown (20% of plantings) to any extent is Bengal (Madras). Chinese, Indian and Australian cultivars have also been imported into South Africa but their performance and yield have yet to be fully evaluated and none have been released for commercial cultivation.
+ Israel
Lychee was introduced by Professor C. Oppenheimer to Israel in 1934, although commercial production did not start for another 40 to 50 years. Production is about 500 t from about 200 ha, and is nearly all exported to Europe.
Lychee orchards are now being established in most areas of Israel, except in the Negev and Arava regions. The main cultivars are Mauritius (early maturity) and Floridian (late), but plantings also include Kaimana, Late Seedless, Garnet, Early Large Red and No Mai Chee. After harvest, the lychees are treated with sulphur dioxide for 20 minutes and after a few hours with hydrochloric acid to maintain the red skin colour, although sometimes the treatments taints the fruit.
Lychee was introduced by Professor C. Oppenheimer to Israel in 1934, although commercial production did not start for another 40 to 50 years. Production is about 500 t from about 200 ha, and is nearly all exported to Europe.
Lychee orchards are now being established in most areas of Israel, except in the Negev and Arava regions. The main cultivars are Mauritius (early maturity) and Floridian (late), but plantings also include Kaimana, Late Seedless, Garnet, Early Large Red and No Mai Chee. After harvest, the lychees are treated with sulphur dioxide for 20 minutes and after a few hours with hydrochloric acid to maintain the red skin colour, although sometimes the treatments taints the fruit.
+ Madagascar
The lychee arrived in Madagascar from Mauritius in 1770. Production is estimated to be about 50000 t and is mainly confined to the moist eastern seaboard. About 5000 to 10000 t are exported to Europe, mostly by ship. Trees grow in a haphazard fashion, with most plantings less than 1 ha. Many of the commercial orchards are 20 to 30 years old.
Mauritius (or Tai So) is the most important cultivar. Fruit are usually sulphured by burning sulphur in old shipping containers, although sulphur dioxide fumigation is also being trialled. Fruit generally have a better appearance than those sent from South Africa.
The lychee arrived in Madagascar from Mauritius in 1770. Production is estimated to be about 50000 t and is mainly confined to the moist eastern seaboard. About 5000 to 10000 t are exported to Europe, mostly by ship. Trees grow in a haphazard fashion, with most plantings less than 1 ha. Many of the commercial orchards are 20 to 30 years old.
Mauritius (or Tai So) is the most important cultivar. Fruit are usually sulphured by burning sulphur in old shipping containers, although sulphur dioxide fumigation is also being trialled. Fruit generally have a better appearance than those sent from South Africa.
+ Mauritius
Lychee planting material was first introduced from the Orient in 1764 and production in 1985 was about 1000 t. The Mauritius lychee was selected from a seedling on the island in the 1870s. Practically all the trees in Mauritius, Malagasy Republic and South Africa are clonal propagules from this tree.
+ Reunion
The lychee arrived in Reunion over 200 years ago from Mauritius. Annual production is about 5000 t, of which about 10% is exported to France. The main cultivar is Tai So (Mauritius).
Lychee planting material was first introduced from the Orient in 1764 and production in 1985 was about 1000 t. The Mauritius lychee was selected from a seedling on the island in the 1870s. Practically all the trees in Mauritius, Malagasy Republic and South Africa are clonal propagules from this tree.
+ Reunion
The lychee arrived in Reunion over 200 years ago from Mauritius. Annual production is about 5000 t, of which about 10% is exported to France. The main cultivar is Tai So (Mauritius).
+ Australia
The lychee was introduced into Australia by Chinese migrants over 100 years ago. They originally came to work the goldfields in northern Queensland and ate fruit and threw the seeds away. They did not go directly into agriculture or plant crops. Isolated trees of 80 to 100 years are found in these areas. Lychee plants (seedlings?) were growing in the Sydney Botanic Gardens in 1854 and in Brisbane by the late 1850s. Air-layers (Wai Chee) were not introduced until the 1930s. Plant material was subsequently distributed further along the coast and production extends from Cairns and the Atherton Tableland in northern Queensland to Coffs Harbour in northern New South Wales. Tai So and Bengal are the main cultivars. This is because they were the only planting material readily available during the expansion of the industry in the early to mid 197os. These cultivars have now lost favour and current expansion is mainly based on cultivars such as Kwai May Pink, Salathiel and Wai Chee in cooler areas and Fay Zee Siu in warmer locations.
The lychee was introduced into Australia by Chinese migrants over 100 years ago. They originally came to work the goldfields in northern Queensland and ate fruit and threw the seeds away. They did not go directly into agriculture or plant crops. Isolated trees of 80 to 100 years are found in these areas. Lychee plants (seedlings?) were growing in the Sydney Botanic Gardens in 1854 and in Brisbane by the late 1850s. Air-layers (Wai Chee) were not introduced until the 1930s. Plant material was subsequently distributed further along the coast and production extends from Cairns and the Atherton Tableland in northern Queensland to Coffs Harbour in northern New South Wales. Tai So and Bengal are the main cultivars. This is because they were the only planting material readily available during the expansion of the industry in the early to mid 197os. These cultivars have now lost favour and current expansion is mainly based on cultivars such as Kwai May Pink, Salathiel and Wai Chee in cooler areas and Fay Zee Siu in warmer locations.
+ Hawaii
The first lychee (cv. Tai So) was brought to Hawaii in 1873 and was still growing in 1972. Other introductions were made by the Department of Agriculture and private individuals during the first half of the 20th century. Lychees are grown up to an elevation of about 500 m and occasionally up to 1000 m on the five major islands of Hawaii. Commercial plantings peaked during the late 1960s with about 25,000 trees and production of about 250 t (average yield of 10 kg per tree). About 20% of the crop was exported to the mainland. Production declined during the next decade because of low yields and quarantine restrictions with exported fruit. Since 1980, there has been renewed interest in the crop, mainly due to the availability of better cultivars and improvements in post-harvest technology.
Tai So is the only cultivar grown on a wide scale. Fruit ripen from May to June. Because of the irregular bearing habit and short cropping season of Tai So, other cultivars have been tried, including Brewster, Haak Yip and Sweetcliff (similar to Wai Chee but different to Tim Nann or Sweetcliff from China) which were imported earlier in this century, and Kaimana which is a seedling selection of Haak Yip developed in the 1970s.
The first lychee (cv. Tai So) was brought to Hawaii in 1873 and was still growing in 1972. Other introductions were made by the Department of Agriculture and private individuals during the first half of the 20th century. Lychees are grown up to an elevation of about 500 m and occasionally up to 1000 m on the five major islands of Hawaii. Commercial plantings peaked during the late 1960s with about 25,000 trees and production of about 250 t (average yield of 10 kg per tree). About 20% of the crop was exported to the mainland. Production declined during the next decade because of low yields and quarantine restrictions with exported fruit. Since 1980, there has been renewed interest in the crop, mainly due to the availability of better cultivars and improvements in post-harvest technology.
Tai So is the only cultivar grown on a wide scale. Fruit ripen from May to June. Because of the irregular bearing habit and short cropping season of Tai So, other cultivars have been tried, including Brewster, Haak Yip and Sweetcliff (similar to Wai Chee but different to Tim Nann or Sweetcliff from China) which were imported earlier in this century, and Kaimana which is a seedling selection of Haak Yip developed in the 1970s.
+ Florida
Southern Florida is well known as the centre of tropical fruit production in the U.S.A. This is the result of an active plant introduction and research program. Florida's commercial lychee plantings reached a peak of about 130 ha in 1957 but declined to less than half these figures in 1966 because of cold damage and urban expansion. Lychee production has been on a steady increase since 1975 when plantings shifted towards the less frost-prone southern areas, but suffered a setback in 1992 with Hurricane Andrew when about a third of the trees were lost. Many factors have contributed to the interests in lychee production including the search for alternative crops to avocado and limes, greater demand for exotics and the opportunity for higher returns.
Brewster has been the main lychee cultivar in Florida since the Reverend W. M. Brewster obtained air-layers of Brewster (or Chen Zi), from Fujian Province in 1903. There are many orchards with mature trees 12 m across. Brewster matures from mid-June to mid-July and has good colour and flavour.
Tai So (Mauritius) has become very popular in recent years and is more consistent in bearing compared to Brewster. However, it suffers from wind-damage. There is also the problem of limb breakage after ice-loading. Tai So matures about two weeks before Brewster. Other cultivars under evaluation include Sweetcliff (small fruit and susceptible to micronutrient deficiencies, especially Fe), Bengal (irregular yielding) and Haak Yip. New plantings include Kwai May Pink from Australia.
Source: http://rfcarchives.org.au/Next/Fruits/Litchi/WorldLychees3-95.htm
Southern Florida is well known as the centre of tropical fruit production in the U.S.A. This is the result of an active plant introduction and research program. Florida's commercial lychee plantings reached a peak of about 130 ha in 1957 but declined to less than half these figures in 1966 because of cold damage and urban expansion. Lychee production has been on a steady increase since 1975 when plantings shifted towards the less frost-prone southern areas, but suffered a setback in 1992 with Hurricane Andrew when about a third of the trees were lost. Many factors have contributed to the interests in lychee production including the search for alternative crops to avocado and limes, greater demand for exotics and the opportunity for higher returns.
Brewster has been the main lychee cultivar in Florida since the Reverend W. M. Brewster obtained air-layers of Brewster (or Chen Zi), from Fujian Province in 1903. There are many orchards with mature trees 12 m across. Brewster matures from mid-June to mid-July and has good colour and flavour.
Tai So (Mauritius) has become very popular in recent years and is more consistent in bearing compared to Brewster. However, it suffers from wind-damage. There is also the problem of limb breakage after ice-loading. Tai So matures about two weeks before Brewster. Other cultivars under evaluation include Sweetcliff (small fruit and susceptible to micronutrient deficiencies, especially Fe), Bengal (irregular yielding) and Haak Yip. New plantings include Kwai May Pink from Australia.
Source: http://rfcarchives.org.au/Next/Fruits/Litchi/WorldLychees3-95.htm
Edited by Ho Dinh Hai
Long An - Vietnam
References
1- http://worldwidefruits.weebly.com
2- http://worldwidefruits.weebly.com/orders-of-plants.html
3- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapindales
4- http://www.britannica.com/plant/Sapindales
5- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapindaceae
6- https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Sapindoideae
7- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sapindaceae_genera
8- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychee
9- http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac681e/ac681e04.htm
10- http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxonsubtaxa/id730188/pos200
11- http://rfcarchives.org.au/Next/Fruits/Litchi/WorldLychees3-95.htm
12- https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/health-benefits-of-lychee
13- http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC684E/ac684e0d.htm
14- http://rfcarchives.org.au/Next/Fruits/Litchi/LycheeVietNam5-92.htm
15- https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/lychee.html
Long An - Vietnam
References
1- http://worldwidefruits.weebly.com
2- http://worldwidefruits.weebly.com/orders-of-plants.html
3- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapindales
4- http://www.britannica.com/plant/Sapindales
5- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapindaceae
6- https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Sapindoideae
7- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Sapindaceae_genera
8- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lychee
9- http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac681e/ac681e04.htm
10- http://www.biolib.cz/en/taxonsubtaxa/id730188/pos200
11- http://rfcarchives.org.au/Next/Fruits/Litchi/WorldLychees3-95.htm
12- https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/health-benefits-of-lychee
13- http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/AC684E/ac684e0d.htm
14- http://rfcarchives.org.au/Next/Fruits/Litchi/LycheeVietNam5-92.htm
15- https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/lychee.html
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