Lychee

Litchi chinensis Sonn.
Sapindaceae
Common Names: Lychee, Litchi, Leechee, Lichee, Lichi.

Distant Affinity: Akee (Blighia sapida), Longan (Dimocarpus longan), Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum), Pulasan (N. mutabile), Fijian longan (Pometia pinnata). This is to say that lychee is a cousin of longan, but prettier in red. They are both cousins of rambutan, which is red and hairy... and you can also find it in a former blog here. Search for it.

Origin: The lychee is native to low elevations of the provinces of Kwangtung and Fukien in Southern China. Cultivation spread over the years through neighboring areas of southeastern Asia and offshore islands. It reached Hawaii in 1873, and Florida in 1883, and was conveyed from Florida to California in 1897. Here it is at home in Miami, fruits ready to be picked.