The litchi tree (Litchi chinensis) is one tree from the family Sapindaceae. It is the only species of the genus Litchi. The litchi tree is originated to Southern China; it is already grown since approx. 1000 BC there. Today the litchi tree is grown worldwide in the subtropical and tropical climate zones, under others in Taiwan, India, Thailand, South Africa, Madagascar, Australia, Israel, Mexico, Brazil and the southern states of the U. S. A. It is an evergreen tree, which grows to 45 to 60 feet tall. It is very frost sensitive and does not thrive in Rio Grande do Sul and in the higher altitudes of Santa Catarina and Paraná.

One only tree can produce 100 to 200 kg fruits every year. The at the same very cold sensitive fruits have one diameter of 1.2 to 2 inches.  The thin, outside very rough skin is pink or reddish colored and become brownish when mature. It become hard only after harvesting. The fruit pulp is translucent pearl-colored, firm, juicy, sweet and smell very strong. It contains one smooth seed which is inedible. The taste of litchi is strongly dependent of the ripen level. Overripen fruits do have very much taste during the unripen fruits are relative tasteless. Litchis are not afterripening after the harvest, therefore they must be harvested fully ripen. When the fruits are nuts, because all three layers of lignified pericarp or dry skinned. 

In our yard are some specimens.

 

Litchi tree in our yard in March 2009.

Our first own litchi harvest in December 2009!