《太平广记·卷四百零六·草木一（》
荔枝之所以叫荔枝，是因为它结果的时候，枝条柔弱而结蒂很牢，不能摘取，必须用刀斧把枝子割下来才行，所以就把这种特点当做它的名字了。
荔枝为名者，以其结实时，枝条弱而蒂牢，不可摘取，以刀斧劙取其枝，故以为名。
The reason why litchi is named litchi is because when it bears fruits, the branches are soft and the knots are very tight. It cannot be picked and must be cut down with a knife or axe. Therefore, this characteristic is used as its name.