Hortiforum

General Info – Native Lychee, Australian Native Lychee

Dimocarpus australianus is a rare and unique specimen, making it a perfect addition to any collection of Sapindaceae or for those seeking a unique bush tucker to enhance their tropical, native garden. Commonly referred to as the Native Lychee due to its resemblance to the familiar Lychee fruit, it belongs to the same Sapindaceae family, which also includes Mamoncillo, Rambutan, and Ackee. However, it could arguably be better known as the Native Longan, as is part of the same genus Dimocarpus and also bears a close physical resemblance to Longan. Compared to Longan, the Native Lychee is smaller, with a lower flesh-to-seed ratio, but its fruits are much juicier. The flavour is incredibly sweet, even more so than Longan, though some may find it almost overly sweet. While many describe its taste as similar to Longan or Lychee, others note a musky, Date-like sweetness. Like its well-known relatives, the Native Lychee has a firm skin that is easy to peel, revealing the luscious, juicy pulp inside.
Native to the tropical rainforests of Far North Queensland, particularly the Cape York Peninsula, the Native Lychee thrives in tropical conditions. It is known to be more resilient than the Longan, tolerating poorer soils, light frosts, and strong winds—likely because it is typically grown from seedlings rather than the more wind-sensitive marcotts. A slow-growing species, the Native Lychee prefers a sheltered position, ideally with filtered sunlight, despite its ability to withstand harsher conditions than the Longan.
The foliage of the Native Lychee is a vibrant green. Like its relatives, it produces flowers on penduncles that primarily emerge from the terminal growth, bearing clusters of small blooms. The Native Lychee typically grows to a height of 8–15 metres, though it can be kept at a more manageable size with pruning.

Plant Profile/Properties