Limau hantu, Ghost lime
Citrus macroptera

Family: Rutaceae

What it is like

A small tree armed with small spines. It grows 6-10 m high. The leaves are variable. They can be broadly sword shaped and 30 cm long by 6-7 cm wide. There are broad wings on the leaf stalks. The flowers are white and the fruit about 10 cm across. They have very thin skins. The fruit are pale yellow. There are 4 botanical varieties. Now Citrus hystrix

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Common and widely distributed in forests at low and medium altitudes throughout the Philippines. In Yunnan in China it grows between 600-800 m above sea level. It grows in seasonal rainforest. In Vanuatu it grows from sea level to 300 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

American Samoa, Asia, Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Guam, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Malesia (country/location of origin), New Caledonia, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Polynesia, Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The fruit is cooked with lentils. The fruit rind is used to flavour curry. The skin is also sun-dried and then used for pickles. The fruit peel is also used as a meat tenderiser. The juice is used for drinks.

It is occasionally cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

In Northeastern India fruit are available September to November.

Its other names

Local names

Chatukora, Hampur, Hatkora, Jamir, Kabuyau, Limau abang, Magei, Melanesian papeda, Moli kau, Moli kurukuru, Moli u'u, Saataokra, Sathkora, Som manao, Wild orange

Synonyms

Citrus aurantium ssp. saponacea Safford; Citrus papuana F. M. Baill.; Citrus vitiensis Tanaka;