Gulabi, Bombai, Shahi, & Rose Scented: Know 14 Varieties of Exotic Litchi from Different Parts of India

Litchi, a delectable and highly sought-after fruit, holds a prominent position in the Indian agricultural landscape. Known for its succulent flesh and distinct flavor, litchi cultivation has gained immense popularity in various regions across the country. With a wide array of litchi varieties available, each exhibiting unique characteristics and maturation periods, farmers and consumers alike have a diverse range of options to choose from.

Let's explore some of the notable litchi varieties cultivated in different parts of India.

1. Shahi:

Widely grown in the Muzaffarpur region of Bihar, the Shahi variety is a commercial cultivar primarily cultivated for table consumption. With oval and oblong-conical-shaped fruits, this variety features crimson-red tubercles on a uranium-green background upon maturity. Shahi litchis are known for their large fruit size and yield an average of 90-100 kg per tree.

2. Swarna Roopa:

Developed by the CHES in Ranchi, Swarna Roopa is the first variety of litchi to be developed in India. It boasts high Total Soluble Solids (T.S.S) content and exhibits resistance to fruit cracking, making it a popular choice among farmers. This variety contributes to the overall diversity of litchis grown in the country.

3. China:

The China variety, primarily cultivated in the Muzaffarpur region of Bihar, is a semi-dwarf cultivar. Fruits of this variety ripen from the third week of May and display a vibrant blend of red and orange hues. With medium to large-sized, globose fruits, the China litchi yields an average of 80-100 kg per tree.

4. Kasba:

Predominantly grown in the eastern part of Bihar, the Kasba variety showcases medium-large, heart-shaped fruits with red tubercles on a reddish background upon maturity. Kasba litchis ripen during the first week of June, and each tree yields around 80-100 kg of fruit.

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5. Elachi:

The Elachi variety stands out with its moderately vigorous tree growth, reaching an average height and spread of 5-6 meters and 6-7 meters, respectively. Sporting conical, orange-red fruits, this variety is cultivated mainly for table consumption, offering an average yield of 50-60 kg per tree.

6. Purbi:

Known for its suitability for table consumption, the Purbi variety thrives in the eastern part of Bihar. Its medium-large, oblong-conical fruits ripen at the end of May or in the first week of June. At maturity, red tubercles emerge on a pinkish-brown background. The average yield of Purbi litchis is 90-100 kg per tree.

7. Early Seedless (Syn. Early Bedana):

This variety, cultivated in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, is favored for both table consumption and processing. Although it bears fruit regularly, the yield of the Early Seedless variety ranges from 50-60 kg per tree. With small to medium-sized, heart-to-oval-shaped fruits adorned with carmine red tubercles, this variety offers good fruit quality and creamy white pulp with a T.S.S of 19.8%.

8. Rose Scented:

Commercially grown in the Muzaffarpur region of Bihar, the Rose Scented litchi variety not only boasts high-quality fruit but also carries a distinct rose aroma. Ripening in the first week of June, the medium to large-sized fruits of this variety are mostly oval or heart-shaped and display a deep rose-pink color. The pulp is soft, moderately juicy, and has a greyish-white color, offering a moderate T.S.S. content of 20%. Farmers can expect an average yield ranging from 80-90 kg per tree when cultivating the Rose Scented variety.

9. Bombai:

The Bombai litchi variety holds significance in West Bengal as a commercially cultivated table variety. With fruits ripening in the first to the second week of May, Bombai litchi trees grow vigorously, reaching an average height and spread of 6.7 meters and 7-8 meters, respectively. This variety yields an average of 80-90 kg per tree and features large, obliquely heart-shaped fruits with carmine red tubercles against a uranium-green background. An intriguing characteristic of the Bombai litchi is the presence of a tiny underdeveloped fruit attached to the fruit stalk of each developed fruit. The pulp is soft, juicy, and greyish-white, with a T.S.S. content of 17%.

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10. Calcutta (Syn. Kalkattia):

Considered the premier variety for table consumption in northern India, the Calcutta litchi thrives even in hotter regions with adequate protection from strong hot winds and sufficient irrigation. Maturing in the last week of June, the large-sized, oblong fruits of this variety exhibit a tyrian rose color with dark tubercles. With a creamy-white pulp that is soft, juicy, and exceptionally sweet, Calcutta litchis offer a T.S.S. content of 18.17%. On average, farmers can anticipate a yield of 80-100 kg per tree when cultivating the Calcutta variety.

11. Late Seedless (Syn. Late Bedana):

While not completely devoid of seeds, the Late Seedless litchi variety features shriveled and small-sized seeds. Like the Calcutta variety, it can thrive in hotter regions with protection from strong hot winds and ample irrigation. The vigorous trees of this variety attain an average height and spread of 5.5 meters and 7.0 meters, respectively. With fruits ripening in the third week of June, the medium to large-sized, conical fruits showcase vermilion to carmine color with dark-blackish brown tubercles. The creamy-white pulp is soft, juicy, and offers a T.S.S. content of 20%. Farmers can expect an average yield ranging from 80-100 kg per tree. The Late Seedless variety is suitable for both table consumption and processing purposes.

12. Dehra Dun:

Predominantly grown for table consumption in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, the Dehra Dun litchi variety is also known as "Dehra-Rose" in Bihar. This late-season variety starts ripening in the third week of June, yielding around 80-90 kg of fruit per tree. With medium-sized, obliquely heart-shaped to conical fruits and bright rose-pink color at maturity, Dehra Dun litchis offer a greyish-white, soft, and moderately juicy pulp with a T.S.S. content of 17%.

13. Gulabi (Syn. Sre no.4):

Widely cultivated for table consumption in North India, the Gulabi litchi variety ripens in the fourth week of June. Trees of this variety exhibit prolific and regular fruit-bearing, with an average yield of 90-100 kg per tree. With medium-sized, oblong-oval heart-shaped fruits, Gulabi litchis feature mandarin red tubercles on a shrimp red to the carmine red background. The pulp is greyish-white, firm, and sweet, offering a T.S.S. content of 18.2%.

14. Late Large Red (Syn. Muzaffarpur):

An important litchi variety cultivated in Bihar and neighboring states, the Late Large Red variety ensures abundant fruiting every year, with an average yield of 80-100 kg per tree. With large-sized, oval, or oblong-conical fruits adorned with crimson red tubercles, the pulp of this variety is greyish-white, soft, moderately juicy, and boasts a T.S.S. content of 20.3%.

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