Lime Berry
Triphasia trifolia

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

Triphasia trifolia is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Arid ground.

E. Asia - probably originally native to Java, or perhaps from China to the Philippines, long cultivated it is not known in a truly wild situation.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Cambodia; Christmas Island; Indonesia; Malaysia; Lao People's Democratic Republic; Thailand; Viet Nam; Solomon Islands; India?; Bangladesh? Africa, Albania, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, China, Congo DR, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Ghana, Greece, Guam, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mexico, Moldova, Mozambique, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Romania, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Fruit - raw or cooked. Red and fleshy, the fully ripe fruit has an agreeable sweet taste. Aromatic, juicy and somewhat mucilaginous, the fruit can also be pickled or made into jams etc. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter.

Gum: can be chewed as a chewing gum or can often be used as a sweetener or thickening agent in foods.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The leaves are applied to the body in the treatment of diarrhoea, colic and skin diseases.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Other

Rating: 4

The leaves are used as an aromatic bath. The leaves are used as cosmetics. A gum runs from the stem, though the report does not mention any uses for this gum.

Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.

Gum: Gums have a wide range of uses, especially as stabilizers, emulsifiers, thickening agents, adhesives etc.

Incense: Aromatic plants that can be burnt to impart a pleasant smell, repel insects and disinfect closed areas.

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Prefers a moderately heavy loam with a generous amount of compost and sand added and a very sunny position. Prefers a pH between 5 and 6. Intolerant of water logging, strongly disliking winter wet. Most reports say that this species is not hardy in Britain, requiring greenhouse protection, but one report says that a plant outdoors at Boslewick in Cornwall produces fruit. Plants are sometimes cultivated for their edible fruit. All parts of the plant are aromatic. The white flowers have a scent of orange blossom. The leaves are covered in pellucid dots and release a resinous scent when bruised. The fruits are lemon-scented.

Propagating it: Seed - we have no information for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a warm greenhouse as soon as it is ripe if this is possible. Otherwise sow the seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Consider giving them some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 9-12

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

A-koto, Angu, Apala, Asowntem, Bamia, Bendi, Bhindee, Bhindi, Binda, Bindi, Bondo, Cantarela, Derere rechipudzi, Derere, Dheras, Dherosh, Enmomi, Fetri, Gombaut, Gombo, Gumbo, Guro, Gusha, Idelele, Ikhievbo, Ilasha, Ilo, Ka fei huang kui, Kacang bendi, Kopi arab, Kubewa, Lafeu, Lieka, Loka, Maana, Ma-lontho, Mesta, Muomi, Miagorro, Nathando, Nkruma, Obori, Ochro, Okworu, Okwulu, Otigo-iwoka, Pahari bendi, Pingpesi, Pui, Quiabo, Quimbambo, Taku, Uisul hme, Vandakai, lime berry|kasthuri dehi, orangine.

Synonyms

T. aurantiola. Lour. Limonia trifolia.