Lychee
Lychee (Litchi chinensis)
Lychee (pronounced /ˈlaɪˌtʃiː/), also known as litchi, lichee, or lizhi, is a tropical fruit tree species in the soapberry family, Sapindaceae. It is native to the Guangdong and Fujian provinces of China, where cultivation is documented from 1059 AD.
Etymology
The term "lychee" comes from the Chinese word "lìzhī" (荔枝), which translates to "gift for a joyful life".
Description
The lychee tree is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 20 meters tall. The fruit is a drupe, 3–4 cm long and 3 cm in diameter. The outside is covered by a pink-red, roughly-textured rind that is inedible but easily removed to expose a layer of sweet, translucent white flesh. Lychees are eaten in many different dessert dishes, and are especially popular in China, throughout Southeast Asia, along with South Asia and parts of Southern Africa.
Nutritional Value
Lychees are a rich source of vitamin C and also contain a high amount of fiber, B vitamins, and various beneficial plant compounds.
Related Terms
- Drupe: A type of fruit in which an outer fleshy part surrounds a shell of hardened endocarp with a seed inside.
- Sapindaceae: A family of flowering plants in the order Sapindales, known as the soapberry family. It contains 138 genera and 1858 accepted species, including the lychee.
- Vitamin C: Also known as ascorbic acid, is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Lychee
- Wikipedia's article - Lychee
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