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Name: Steve
Status: other
Grade: other
Location: VA
Country: USA
Date: Summer 2011
Question:
I bought some fresh Lychee fruit today and as I peal and eat them, it occurred to me that within the outer shell the pulp appears to be formed into degenerate "petals." Is this the case? In most fruits, there is little apparent structure to the pulp and I am surprised to find some within this fruit. If a Lychee fruit is left on the tree, does the outer shell crack and a second flower-like structure develop exposing the seed?


Replies:
Each fruit has a single seed.

The following might be helpful to you:

http://www.montosogardens.com/litchi_chinensis.htm

http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200013205

http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=93329&flora_id=2

Sincerely, Anthony R. Brach, PhD Missouri Botanical Garden c/o Harvard University Herbaria


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