Lychee
A South Chinese fruit tree; it yields ample nectar in February-April, is a key spring honey source in Asia, and gives a light amber, floral honey.
- Nectar
- Good
- Pollen
- Medium
- Flowering
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Height
- 10-15 m
- Life cycle
- Perennial
🐝 Add to my apiary
Log in to add it to your apiary.Value for beekeeping
Lychee is an evergreen fruit tree from southern China, grown in South-East Asia, India and other subtropical regions. Its small, yellowish-green flowers open in large panicles and secrete plenty of nectar. In southern China, Taiwan, Thailand and India it is one of the important spring honey sources; the honey bee is also the main pollinator that improves fruit set.
Flowering
In southern China and India it usually flowers from February to April. In the panicle there are waves of first male, then functionally female and then again male flowers, so flowering lasts several weeks.
Honey and pollen
Lychee honey is light amber with a distinct floral aroma reminiscent of the fruit and is sold separately in Asian markets.
Note for the beekeeper
Heavy flowering requires a cool, dry period at the end of winter; after mild winters flowering may be weak. Avoiding spraying in orchards during flowering is important for bees and for fruit set. It is not grown commercially in Turkey.