Editing Lychee (section)

== Description ==

=== Tree ===
''Litchi chinensis'' is an evergreen tree that is frequently less than {{convert|15|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, sometimes reaching {{convert|28|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Oxford" /> Its evergreen leaves, {{convert|12.5|to|20|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, are pinnate, having 4 to 8 alternate, elliptic-oblong to lanceolate, abruptly pointed, leaflets,

The bark is grey-black, the branches a brownish-red. Its [[evergreen]] leaves are {{convert|12.5|to|20|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, with leaflets in two to four pairs.<ref name="Purdue" /> Lychee are similar in foliage to the family [[Lauraceae]], likely due to [[convergent evolution]]. They are adapted by developing leaves that repel water, and are called laurophyll or [[lauroid]] leaves.

Flowers grow on a terminal [[inflorescence]] with many [[panicle]]s on the current season's growth. The panicles grow in clusters of ten or more, reaching {{convert|10|to|40|cm|in|abbr=on}} or longer, holding hundreds of small white, yellow, or green flowers that are distinctively fragrant.<ref name="Menzel" />

{{gallery|mode=packed
|Lychee (Litchi chinensis)-01.JPG|Tree in [[Panama]]
|Litchi chinensis flowers 01.JPG|Flowers
}}

=== Fruit ===
[[File:Lychee fruits and seed.jpg|thumb|Whole and opened fruit with seed]]

The lychee bears fleshy [[Drupe|fruits]] that mature in 80–112 days depending on climate, location, and cultivar. Fruits vary in shape from round to ovoid to heart-shaped, up to 5&nbsp;cm long and 4&nbsp;cm wide (2.0&nbsp;in&nbsp;× 1.6&nbsp;in), weighing approximately 20 g.<ref name="Oxford" /><ref name="Barret" />

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 [[peel (fruit)|rind]] is inedible but easily removed to expose a layer of translucent white flesh with a floral smell and a sweet flavor.<ref name="Oxford" /> 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 that is 1 to 3.3&nbsp;cm long and 0.6 to 1.2&nbsp;cm wide (0.39–1.30 by 0.24–0.47&nbsp;in). Some cultivars produce a high percentage of fruits with shriveled aborted seeds known as 'chicken tongues'. These fruits typically have a higher price, due to having more edible flesh.<ref name="Menzel" /> Since the floral flavor is lost in the process of canning, the fruit is usually eaten fresh.<ref name="Oxford" />