Leprous lime
Citrus amblycarpa

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A shrub or low tree. It grows up to 7 m tall. The branches are almost without spines. The leaves are alternate and have only one lobe. The leaf stalk is 1 cm long. The blade is oval and 4-8 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. There are shallow rounded teeth along the edge. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves or in groups of 3-5 at the ends of branches. They are white and 2 cm across. They have a smell. The fruit are a flattened round berry. They are 1.5-3.5 cm across. They are shiny dark green when young and turn yellow-green when ripe. The skin is lumpy. The flesh is yellow and sour but with a sweet smell. The seed are long and pear shaped. They are 1 cm long by 0.5 cm wide.

There are 16-20 Citrus species. Several hybrids have been formed.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows from sea level up to 350 m altitude in Java.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indochina, Indonesia, SE Asia, Suriname, Thailand

How it is used for food

The juice of the fruit has a sweet smell and is used to flavour dishes. The leaves are used as a flavouring.

Fruit are for sale in markets. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Leaves, spice, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dieruk lemon, Djeroek limo sambal, Djeruk limau, Jeruk limau, Jeruk limo, Jeruk sambal, Makrut, Vjerook leemo

Synonyms

Citrus limonellus Hassk. var. amblycarpa Hassk.; Citrus nobilis Lour. var. amblycarpa (Hassk.) Ochse & De Vries;