What tree/fruit is this?

1. 77

   livelongerposted 13 years ago

   What tree/fruit is this?
   
   This tree (about 10' tall) yields clusters of pink upside-down bell-like flowers, and round, bumpy fruit a bit smaller than a golf ball that ranges from bright orange to bright red. The fruit has a mild, sweet flavor and a somewhat mealy texture.
   
   

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2. 0

   Charlinexposted 13 years ago

   It looks like lychee, a subtropical fruit from Asia. It's hard to tell because the photos are small. Where did you take the photos?

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3. 96

   Cardisaposted 13 years ago

   It's a lychee tree and fruit. It is of Asian origin and has a soft sweet pulp that adheres to a brown oval seed. This can be eaten as is (discard the skin), used to make ice cream, drink or for garnish. Lychee is sweetest when the skin turns red or brown. It has a tangy taste when not fully ripe.

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4. 77

   IzzyMposted 13 years ago

   I would be interested to know what plant this too, seeing as there are two of them growing just outside my garden. I notice it has reddish stems as does the ones in your picture, and the fruit is mostly green and not yet ripe. I asked my partner and he thinks they are cherry trees but I'm not so sure. This is the equivalent of USDA zone 10 here, and very dry. This plant gets no water apart from rainfall, yet thrives.
   Lychee, eh? Interesting...

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5. 77

   livelongerposted 13 years ago

   Hey everyone, thank you for your answers. I did some searching online and found out it is actually a "strawberry tree" (not to be confused with strawberry plants, which yield...strawberries). The fruit is generally not eaten but some cultures make jams or liqueurs out of them.
   
   I did take the pictures myself; there are several planted by the city in my neighborhood but there was no sign/label explaining what they are!

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