Litchi chinensis: Taxonomy, Botany and Its Cultivars

Abstract

Litchi chinensis (common name, litchi or lychee) is a tropical to subtropical fruit that was originated in China and Vietnam but now grows in more than 20 countries at the commercial level. China is the largest producer of litchi followed by India. Because of its delicious taste and high nutritional value, it is also called as “King of the Fruits” in China. Litchi belongs to family Sapindaceae, also known as the soapberry family. Litchi chinensis subsp. chinensis is the only commercially grown subspecies. Litchi is a highly cross-pollinated entomophilous crop. Honey bees are its principal pollinators. The edible part of the fruit is the aril, which is fleshy, white, translucent and juicy. The bud, leaf and shoot development, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit development and fruit maturity are the seven principal growth stages of its complete growth cycle. Many litchi cultivars are known in various parts of the world. Some of these, with special or superior characteristics, are grown commercially. Various workers have classified these litchi cultivars differently on the basis of various parameters, viz. morphological traits, isozyme analysis, DNA markers, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, etc. Every part of the litchi (leaf, fruit, flower, seed, pericarp) has some medicinal value. Litchi fruits are a good source of vitamin C, minerals (Cu, P, K), B-complex vitamins and antioxidants such as oligonol. This chapter gives an overview of its taxonomy, botany and various cultivars. A brief description of its active constituents and the pharmacological activities is also given here in this chapter.