Australian Desert Lime, Native Cumquat, Australian desert kumquat
Citrus glauca

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A medium sized shrub or small tree. It often has several stems and grows up to 2-3 m high. It can be up to 12 m high and 1-3 m across. The bark is brown and cracked. The new shoots are angular. The stems are spiny. The leaves are 1-5 cm long by 0.2-0.4 cm wide. They are narrow and spoon shaped. The leaves have a blue-grey colour. The flowers are 1-1.3 cm across. They are white or green and have a sweet scent. The fruit is round to oval and about 2 cm across. The skin of the fruit is light yellow green. It contains large oil glands. The fruit are often seedless. The seeds have furrows along them.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs naturally in the semi arid regions of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia in Australia. It is very drought tolerant. It can stand extremes of temperature from 45°C to -24°C. It grows on a wide range of soil types. The soils need to be well drained. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin), Pacific

How it is used for food

The fruit can be used whole in cooking. They are also used for drinks, jams and preserves. It can be used for marmalade, sauces and dressings.

It is now cultivated commercially.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed, stem cuttings, root cuttings, suckers or budding. If trees are disturbed they easily form suckers that can be removed and planted.

It is 10-12 weeks between flowering and fruit maturity. A fruit weighs 1-3 g. Trees flower mostly in spring and fruit is ripe in summer.

Its other names

Local names

Lime bush

Synonyms

Atalantia glauca (Lindl.) Benth. & Hook. f.; Eremocitrus glauca (Lindl.) Swing.; Triphasia glauca Lindl.;