flowers and miniature fruits lychee litchi chinensis tree

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Flowers and miniature fruits of Lychee or Litchi (Litchi chinensis) on a tree. Royalty Free Stock Photo

Flowers and miniature fruits of Lychee or Litchi (Litchi chinensis) on a tree.

Lychee (Litchi chinensis) belongs to the the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. Litchi or lychee bears fleshy fruits. Fruits vary in shape from round to ovoid to heart-shaped. The thin, tough skin is green when immature, ripening to red or pink-red, and is smooth or covered with small sharp protuberances roughly textured. The rind is inedible but easily removed to expose a layer of translucent white flesh with a floral smell and a sweet flavor. The skin turns brown and dry when left out after harvesting. The fleshy, edible portion of the fruit is an aril, surrounding one dark brown inedible seed.