litchi

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• litchi
• lychee
• leechee
• Lichee

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nephelium chinense
• Scytalia chinensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales, falling within the family Sapindaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Litchi.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Litchi chinensis, exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in both Mauritius and Réunion. Its native range extends across China, specifically within the Hainan province and the China Southeast region. Additionally, the species is present within the Indian Subcontinent, particularly in Assam. These varied locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in different tropical and subtropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Litchi chinensis is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term presence in its native subtropical habitats. As a phanerophyte, it maintains its photosynthetic organs on elevated branches, a life form that allows it to dominate the canopy layer. This species is predominantly evergreen, retaining its lush foliage throughout the year, which supports continuous metabolic processes and provides a stable environment for its reproductive cycles.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Litchi chinensis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that is entirely terrestrial in its habitat. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit any epiphytic or parasitic tendencies, maintaining an independent lifestyle. The plant displays significant vertical development, with a mean height of approximately 12 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 30 m. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting a robust tree architecture suitable for its terrestrial environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

12 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Litchi chinensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptation strategies. The structural integrity and mechanical properties of the plant are supported by a stem specific density (SSD) with a mean value of 950 mg/cm³, reflecting the wood's density and developmental vigor. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nutrient availability rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to meet its nitrogen requirements for growth and metabolic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

950 mg/cm³

Reproduction

The reproduction of Litchi chinensis is primarily driven by biotic pollination syndromes, relying on living organisms rather than abiotic factors to facilitate fertilization. Within this biological framework, the plant utilizes a variety of pollinators, specifically involving insects and ants to ensure successful cross-pollination. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops fleshy fruits that exhibit measurable morphological variation. These fruits typically possess a mean length of 2.75 cm, though they can range in size from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm.

Fruit length max:

3.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

2.75 cm

Fruit length min:

2 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

ant

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Litchi chinensis has 4 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf, flower, fruit.

Seed

1. Pharmacognosy reviews
2. Cell death & disease
3. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Leaf

1. Pharmacognosy reviews
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Flower

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Fruit

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Chemicals

Litchi chinensis has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Leucocyanidin, (+)-Gallocatechin, (-)-Epigallocatechin, Anthocyanins, Butylated hydroxytoluene.

Leucocyanidin

1. Pharmacognosy reviews
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

(+)-Gallocatechin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

(-)-Epigallocatechin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Anthocyanins

1. Food & function

Butylated hydroxytoluene

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Cyanidin

1. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Epicatechin

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Flavonoids

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Isolariciresinol

1. Pharmacognosy reviews

Lignans

1. Food & function

Activities

Litchi chinensis has 12 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Analgesic, Anticarcinogenic.

Antioxidant

1. Food chemistry
2. Cell death & disease
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Food chemistry
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Frontiers in pharmacology

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Frontiers in pharmacology

Analgesic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticarcinogenic

1. Cell death & disease

Antihyperglycemic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antiviral

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Diuretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hemostatic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Litchi chinensis has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include apoptosis, colon cancer, cough, diabetic complications, dyslipidemia.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations