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[Song Kaibao Era]
[Flavor and Properties] Sweet, neutral in nature, non-toxic.
[Indications] Primarily treats thirst; beneficial for enhancing facial complexion.
[Analysis of the Fruit/Nut] It is said: Lychee, also known as Li Zhi (Branch-Departing) or Dan Li (Red Lychee). It was first introduced to the Central Plains during the Han Dynasty, initially originating from the Lingnan region, later spreading to Bashu. Currently, those produced in Fujian are considered the best. Lychees from Guangdong and Sichua ripen early but have thin flesh and a sweet-sour taste, inferior even to the lower-grade varieties from Fujian. In Fujian, they are grown in only four commanderies; Fuzhou has the largest yield, Xinghua is the most unique, followed by Zhangzhou and Quanzhou. The trees stretch across fields and plains, with some families planting up to ten thousand trees. Large fruits can reach a hundred hu (a unit of volume). Around the Summer Solstice, they turn uniformly red and become edible. Although all share a sweet flavor, no two trees among thousands are exactly alike. Their nature fears cold and prefers warm climates. They are easy to plant but have shallow roots; the wood is hard with dense grain. Trunks range from one chi to arm-span thick, bearing abundant fruit even after centuries. When fruiting, branches are weak but the pedicels are firmly attached, making hand-picking impossible; harvesting requires knives or axes to cut the branch. Bai Juyi's "Lychee Diagram Preface" states: Round in shape like a canopy, leaves resemble cassia, evergreen in winter, flowers resemble orange blossoms, flourishing in spring, fruit resembles cinnabar, ripe in summer, clusters like grapes, pits like chariot wheels, shell like red silk, membrane like purple gauze, aril white as ice and snow, juice sweet and sour like fermented milk. Generally as described, but actually superior. Once detached from the branch, color changes in one day, fragrance in two days, taste in three days; after four or five days, color, fragrance, and taste are all lost. Ouyang Xiu's verse says: "Crystal balls inside crimson silk bags." Zeng Jifu's six-character poems: First, "Banana seeds surely join Kuai's company, plum pills should feel ashamed before Lu's front; Golden Terrace high tower breaks the soul, Baizhou old well spreads its name." Second, "Where red wrinkles loosen the silk robe, when clear fragrance opens jade skin; Xiuling pities the Concubine, Zhuluo does not count Xi Shi." Mu Jixuan's poem says: "How is Jianshui? Its soil is early and hot. Barbarian flowers bloom like silk cotton, seasonal birds cease [calls]. Vast clouds cover the dark sea, plum rains nourish the haze. Ground-level lush yellow branches, shading the sky spreading dark green leaves. Emerald preserves rosy brilliance, brocade grips wind lifting. Musk avoids passing by, flying [insects] prevent theft. Strong chicks shed red skin, fat luxury convex琼 arils. Strange wonders can be eaten, ice balls surprised by biting. Pearls pile on green clouds, tortoiseshell rides colorful patterns. Phoenix claws are world's wonder, dragon teeth heroes among many. Full eating shames plain meals, long chanting looks toward forest shade." Zeng Gong's "Lychee Varieties" records: Zhongyuan Red, Meng Family Red, Fashi White, Hairpin Tip, First-Rate Red, Zhuangyuan Red, Chen Zi, Fang Hong, Green Bamboo, Dingxiang, Ox Heart, Tiger Skin, Tortoiseshell, Dragon Tooth, Clam Shell, Pearl, Double Bun, Persimmon, Grape, Eighteen Niang, etc., totaling thirty-four types. Eighteen Niang is deep red and slender, named because the daughter of the King of Min loved to eat it; or some say "Eighteen Niang" refers to something rare and beautiful, a local Min dialect term. Thus Yuan dynasty poetry has the line: "Three hundred bronze coins for a dou of wine, whose Eighteen Niang lychee?" Cai Xiong's "Lychee Catalogue" records: Chen Zi, produced in Xinghua Commandery, at the home of Chen Qi, Assistant Compiler of the Secretariat. Ranked first in quality, its tree ripens late, fruit wide at top and round at bottom, diameter up to 1.5 cun, fragrance distant and pure, color fresh purple, shell thin and flat, aril dense and translucent, membrane like peach blossom red, pit like mother clove, peeled it congeals like crystal, eaten it dissolves like crimson snow, its ultimate taste cannot be described. Jiang Lü, produced in Fuzhou, similar to Chen Zi but slightly larger, yet fragrance is thin and taste less intense. Fang Hong, produced in Xinghua Commandery, at the home of Fang Zhen, Director of Agriculture. Diameter up to 2 cun, color and taste both excellent, the largest lychee, producing only 100-200 fruits per year. Youjia Hong, bred from Chen Zi, fruit larger than it. Song Gong Lychee, fruit like Chen Zi but smaller, equally sweet and delicious, produced in Xinghua Commandery, passed down through Song family for 300 years. Lanjia Hong, first in Quanzhou, produced at the home of Lan Cheng, Vice Director of the Ministry of Personnel. Zhoujia Hong, initially ranked first in Xinghua, but after Chen Zi and Fang Hong appeared, became second. Hejia Hong, produced in Zhangzhou He family home. Fashi White, produced at Fashi Temple in Quanzhou, color cyan-white, size next to Lanjia Hong. Lühe (Green Pit), produced in Fuzhou, similar to Jiang Lü, red in color but small; while most lychees have purple pits, this one is distinctively green. Yuandingxiang, lychee pedicels are usually wide at side and sharp below, this one is round and tastes superior. Hupi (Tiger Skin), color bright red, very large, with green spots around belly like tiger stripes. Niu Xin (Ox Heart), named by shape, over 2 cun long, thick skin, astringent flesh. Daimao (Tortoiseshell), fruit interspersed with black spots like tortoiseshell. Liuhuang (Sulfur), color pure yellow, thorns slightly red. Zhushi (Persimmon), color like persimmon. Putao (Grape), grows in clusters. Hanshe (Clam Shell), shape similar. Milizhi (Honey Lychee), taste overly sweet. Shuilizhi (Water Lychee), much juice but bland. Shuangji (Double Bun), dozens per cluster, twin fruits on same stem. Zhenzhu (Pearl), pure aril when cut, round and white like pearls, so Putian famous varieties are naturally formed; even if planted from pits, they do not resemble the parent. Songxiang lineage ends with Songxiang, only grand-offspring remain. Chenzi lineage ends with Chenzi, crossing the wall produces small Chenzi. "Pen Talks" mentions scorched-pit lychee: some say take roots, burn until scorched, replant in soil, press with stones to prevent lateral roots, making pits small. Locals disagree. This fruit's shape variation cannot be explained by reason; some resemble dragon teeth, others phoenix claws. Hairpin-tip red suitable for hairpins, green beads hanging sideways, surely not human effort. Fang Hong originally, wishing to enhance its fame, gifted 200 fruits to Cai Zhonghui Gong, asking why annual yield was so low. Gong replied: Fang Hong is special, worthy of cataloging. Though flowering and fruiting are abundant, upon maturity, rarely exceed 200, thus becoming a fixed prophecy. Song Fuqing Weng, nephew of Kang, former Confucian scholar of Zhaowen. Non-seasonal lychees grew in his garden. His mother said: "Could there be a distinguished guest arriving?" Soon, Lin Guangchao from Putian arrived, hence named Jiake Hong (Guest Red). Wang Shipeng, governor of Quanzhou, wrote eight lychee poems: Chen Zi, Jiang Lü, Zouyu, Da Jiangjun, Yutang Hong, Duoxian Hong, Qixi Hong, Baimi. Fuzhou Gazette calls Yipinhong the supreme grade. Also Zhuangyuanhong, extremely large, sweet and clear; or extremely small, thick flesh, fine pit, very sweet, also called Zhuangyuanhong. Guilin, rough thick skin, size like chicken egg, sweet taste. Zhongguan, round body, small pit, smooth thin skin, clear sweet taste. Jinzhong (Golden Bell), bell-shaped, slightly rough thick skin, color like cinnabar. Shenghua, thick skin, sharp thorns, sweet taste, abundant flesh. Jimu (Hen Mother), dozens of fruits per cluster, mixed sizes. Fengchichao, round fruit, sweet taste. Tuoti (Camel Hoof), large, sweet, soft. Jinzong, sharp top, square base, gold lines interwoven. Kuangyu, rough thick skin, strong sweet taste. Hongxiuxie (Red Embroidered Shoe), small pointed fruit, shape like zongzi, extremely fragrant and delicious. Longya (Dragon Tooth), red, about 2 cun long, square top and bottom. Manlinxiang, sweetness and fragrance double other varieties. Eluan (Goose Egg), smooth skin, no thorns, pure red. Miwan (Honey Pill), sweet taste, thick flesh, round. Baimi (White Honey), pinkish skin, sweetness like honey. Jigan (Chicken Liver), flat fruit, sweet taste, red, seedless. Lü Zhu (Green Pearl), also called Jie Lü, commonly called Green Lychee, fruit like hazelnut, extremely clear taste, ripe fruit indistinguishable from leaves. Tianzhu (Heavenly Pillar), tree tall and straight like a pillar. Medium grades include Mantou, Mopan, Cuweng, Maxianbai, Baiye Ru, Jiangjunmao, Xingqiuhong. Recently Xu Xinggong's catalogue adds Dongzhonghong, Jingjiangping, Chanshanli, Yusheng, Jiangping. Xinghua has Zouyulang, Guanhong, Youdingxiang, Zi , Boubulan, Shouxiang, Xizi, Huangxiang, Ruitanghong, Shecanghong, Boubaiang, Huangyu, Yutanghong, Lüsha, Qingtian, Lase, Xiadun, Huangshi, Hongshui, Liusronglei. Quanzhou has Zhang Guanren, Majialü, Huoyan, Liuzong, Lüyilang. Zhangzhou has Dalü, Xiaolü, Yujialü, Shuituan, Chenhong, Heye, etc. Changes are rapid, named by appearance, surpassing all other fruits.
[Commentary] The fruit hangs on the branch, firmly unpluckable; the power of Lychee lies in the branch, hence the name. Departing from cold, approaching warmth, red fruit matures in summer, drooping branches and spreading leaves, representing the image of Fire (Li trigram). Also named Li Zhi (Branch-Departing), also Dan Li (Red Lychee); color and power both excel, substance is Yin, function is Yang, a miraculous fruit for preserving youth and prolonging vision. It enters the Shaoyin and Jueyin meridians of the Hand and Foot, disseminates Wind-Wood qi, assists Sovereign Fire. Whether meridians, fu-organs, or zang-organs, substance, function, form, and qi, moving diseases, and generating diseases, all correspond accordingly.