What is the difference between a lychee, litchi and a leechi?

Lychee, litchi, and leechi are all different spellings of the same tropical fruit, Litchi chinensis, which belongs to the soapberry family. The variations in spelling are simply due to transliteration differences from the original Chinese name. “Lychee” is the most commonly used spelling in English, while “litchi” is often seen in other languages or regions. “Leechi” is a less common alternative spelling but still refers to the same fruit. Regardless of spelling, they all describe the small, round, red fruit with a bumpy skin, translucent white flesh, and a sweet, aromatic flavor that’s prized in many Asian cuisines.