Editing Lychee (section)

=== 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" />