IN July, a wide range of flowers and fruits thrive in Shenzhen. A guide was released by the Shenzhen Park Management Center last week to introduce places where you can find these fruits and flowers. However, although the city’s parks are home to litchi, wax apples, breadfruit and many other fruits, the center suggests residents not eat the fruit in parks due to the large amount of pesticides.

Litchi

Litchi is a tropical and subtropical fruit native to South China and Southeast Asia. The fresh fruit has a delicate, whitish pulp and tastes sweet.

Litchi contains on average a total of 72mg of vitamin C per 100 grams. It is also low in saturated fat and sodium and is cholesterol free. Studies show that it contains moderate amounts of polyphenols.

In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to alleviate pain in the heart and small intestine, but excessive consumption may lead to dizziness or skin rashes.

Where to find: Litchi Park, Lianhua Hill Park and Central Park in Futian District; Renmin Park in Luohu District.

Breadfruit

Breadfruit is part of the mulberry family. It grows throughout Southeast Asia and most Pacific Ocean islands. Its name is derived from the texture of the cooked fruit, which has a potato-like flavor, similar to freshly baked bread.

Breadfruit is a staple food in many tropical regions. It is rich in starch and can be boiled, roasted, baked or fried. Very ripe breadfruit becomes sweet as the starch converts to sugar.

Where to find: Lianhua Hill Park and Bijia Mountain Park in Futian District.

Wax apple

Wax apple, also known as champ, is widely cultivated in the tropics.

Although a ripe wax apple is the same color as an apple, it does not taste like or smell the same. Its flavor is similar to that of a snow pear, and the liquid-to-flesh ratio of the wax apple is comparable to a watermelon.

In general, the darker the color, the sweeter it is. In Southeast Asia, the black ones are nicknamed “Black Pearl” or “Black Diamond,” while the very pale greenish-white ones, called “Pearl,” are among the most expensive types of fruit available.

Where to find: Lianhua Hill Park in Futian District; Renmin Park in Luohu District.

Kigelia

Kigelia is a genus of flowering plants in the Bignoniaceae family. It is also kigelia africana, which occurs throughout tropical Africa.

In African herbal medicine, the fruit is believed to be a cure for a wide range of ailments, from rheumatism, snakebites, evil spirits, syphilis, and even tornadoes. The fresh fruit is poisonous and strongly purgative.

The location at which to plant kigelia should be selected carefully, as the falling fruit can cause serious injuries to passers-by, and damage vehicles parked under the trees.

Where to find: Lianhua Hill Park in Futian District; Renmin Park in Luohu District.

(Wang Yuanyuan)