Litchi

Description

The fruit which one indicates of the same name consists of a pink bark which browns with the maturation of the fruit and comprising scales (fruit with the botanical direction of the term), under which is the usually consumed part, a white gelatinous matter. It is not strictly speaking the fruit which one consumes, but a production of the tegument of seed, the Arille. The litchi is a majestic tree being able to measure between 12 and 20 meters, but also a fruit delicious and rare to discover!

History

The litchi was described by Pierre Sonnerat (1748 - 1814) with the return of its voyages in Southeast Asia and China.

It was introduced with the Réunion in 1764 by Joseph-François Charpentier of Cossigny de Palma. On the island, one calls it letchi .

Varieties

Various varieties were developed. They are generally multiplied by Marcottage.

Production

Originating in China, one there known as that best litchis (according to the dires of a Chinese empress (probably Yang Guifei)) are those of the province of the Guangdong, but one cultivates some also today with the Réunion and, in great quantity, with Madagascar, country in which the major part of the production is exported in France.

Uses

The litchis are cultivated for their edible fruits which juicy, are sweetened and scented.

But they are also trees very mellifères. The fecundation of the flowers is ensured by the bees. The proximity of orchards of litchis thus incidentally allows the production of a Miel of litchi, soft and pleasant.

The seeds which contain saponosides and are rich in fatty-acids cyclopropanic are also recognized in the Chinese pharmacopeia. Semen Litchi " Li Zhi He" , is recommended for its properties astringent, antalgic, stomachic (gastric pains, intestinal transit time) and tonic.

Culture

The litchi requires a wet environment and the substrate should never entirely dry. The plant is very sensitive to the lack of water. It is possible to cultivate the litchi by planting two nails at the top of a core (while taking care not to damage it too in-depth) and by putting the base of the core in water. The root leaves on the flat side of the core at the end of a few weeks. Water must be changed regularly and the root can spend several months before really starting its growth. One can then transplant the core in a ventilated and wet substrate. The root being very fragile, it is necessary well to pay attention at the time of this operation. The fruits appear only after 4 to 5 years. One can also make germinate litchis in a plastic pot with wet cotton. Once the seed germinated to plant it in a pot of compost to the shelter of the cold and with much of moisture and sun.

Bonds

Longane called longani with the Meeting.

Simple: Lychee Zh-min-nan: Nāi-chi Zh-yue: 荔枝

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