Where is the origin of litchi?

Litchi is produced in the southwest, south and southeast of China, especially in Guangdong, Guangxi and southern Fujian. Cultivation is also found in southeastern Asia, and introduction records have been recorded in Africa, America and Oceania.

Litchi, bananas, pineapples and longan are known as the "four major fruits in the south". Litchi, native to southern China, is a subtropical fruit tree with an evergreen tree, about 10 meters high. The pericarp has scaly processes, bright red and purplish red. When the flesh is fresh, it is translucent and fat-like and tastes delicious.

Litchi is a famous fruit tree with a long history of cultivation in southern China, and it is generally recognized that its origin is in the tropical and subtropical areas of southern China. It is reported that wild litchi has been found in the inaccessible tropical forests of Hainan and Yunnan in recent years, which provides direct evidence for the above conclusion.

There are many literatures about litchi in previous dynasties in China, and the earliest records can be found in Shanglin Fu, Foreign body Zhi in Han Dynasty and Southern vegetation in Jin Dynasty. There are also many special articles or books about litchi in previous dynasties, about 10 kinds are known at present, and only 6 kinds are transcribed in Wu Qiqian's book "the long compilation of Plant name Map". Cai Xiang's Litchi Spectrum and Wu Yingkui's Lingnan Litchi Spectrum are representative and comprehensive lychee monographs, which describe in detail the historical data, origin, varieties, cultivation, insect pests, phenology, processing and consumption of litchi. Cai's works focus on Fujian materials, while Wu's works are based on Guangdong's experience and famous products, so each has its own characteristics. These documents provide valuable historical data for the research work of litchi. There are many cultivated varieties of litchi, which are distinguished by maturity, color, salience of verrucous protuberance and pulp flavor. Famous varieties such as Lan Yuehong and Yuhebao in Guangdong (precocious), black spit, Huaizhi (medium maturity), hanging green, glutinous rice curd (late ripening) and so on. The famous products in Fujian are No.1 Red, Chen Zi and Orchid Bamboo. Orchid bamboo is not only of good quality, but also suitable for planting in mountainous areas. In addition, Sichuan's Dahongpao and nanmu leaves are also famous there.